Department for Business and Trade

Trade

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the recommendations of the report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development on Safeguarding democracy, rights and the environment in international trade, which was adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 27 April 2023.

Nigel Huddleston: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to my Hon. Friend the Member for Henley on 18th May 2023, UIN 183392.

International Seabed Authority

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with the International Seabed Authority on (a) the likelihood of the Authority agreeing to issue exploitation licences for deep-sea mining projects and (b) what assessment is required to examine the potential impact of such mining projects on deep-sea ecosystems prior to exportation licences being issued.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The UK is fully engaged in the ongoing negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council and Assembly, to agree deep sea mining exploitation regulations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office leads the UK delegation to the ISA. The UK’s policy is not to sponsor or support the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects unless and until there is sufficient scientific evidence about the potential impact on deep sea ecosystems, and strong enforceable environmental Regulations, Standards and Guidelines have been developed by the ISA and are in place. The UK’s approach is both precautionary and conditional.

Foreign Companies: Registration

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the prevalence of the use of nominee trust arrangements in the Register of Overseas Entities to avoid transparency declaration rules.

Kevin Hollinrake: Overseas entities are not required to declare nominees to Companies House. This is because if a beneficial owner is a nominee, the overseas entity in most circumstances is still required to provide information about the real beneficial owner, i.e., the person behind the nominee. Companies House keeps the information provided to the Register of Overseas Entities under review to ensure that it is accurate, and that overseas entities have met their legal obligations. The Registrar investigates where there is suspicion about the information provided to Companies House, and appropriate action will be taken if an overseas entity is found to have failed to provide accurate information.

Overseas Trade

Eddie Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce barriers to global trade for British businesses.

Nigel Huddleston: We are targeting a global ‘hit list’ of barriers whose removal would deliver massive new opportunities for UK business throughout the country, estimated to be worth over £20 billion over five years. Latest available figures show that in the year to March 2022, the Department resolved 192 trade barriers in 79 countries; 45 of these alone are estimated to be worth around £5 billion to businesses across the UK over the next five years.

Business: Coronavirus

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much covid-19 business grant funding was provided through local authorities in (a) Kettering constituency, (b) north Northamptonshire and (c) England.

Nigel Huddleston: During the pandemic, the Government delivered an unprecedented package of support for business. In total, over £22.6 billion was provided to businesses via Local Authorities throughout England, for Business Grant Support. In the constituency of Kettering, over 5,000 covid-19 business grants were issued, amounting to £24.6 million. North Northamptonshire Council has delivered £29.9 million to local businesses through covid-19 business grant schemes since its formation in 2021.

Foreign Companies: Property

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many overseas companies in the Register of Overseas Entities hold UK property assets through nominee arrangements on behalf of others; and whether the details of those natural persons ultimately controlling the underlying property are known to Companies House.

Kevin Hollinrake: Overseas entities are required to provide information about their beneficial owners. If a beneficial owner is a nominee, the overseas entity in most circumstances is still required to provide information about the real beneficial owner, i.e., the person behind the nominee. It is not possible to ascertain how many overseas entities hold assets through nominee arrangements. The Register will show the details of the registrable beneficial owners of the overseas entity, who may include both nominees and the natural persons behind them.

Foreign Companies: Registration

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many beneficial owners listed in the Register of Overseas Entities are trusts based overseas; and for what reasons Companies House does not publish details about the beneficiaries and other parties of these trusts.

Kevin Hollinrake: Currently, 8,857 registrable beneficial owners are recorded as either the trustees of a trust or having significant influence or control over a trust. An estimated 4,340 trusts have so far been registered with Companies House. Trusts associated with an overseas entity may or may not themselves be based overseas. Information about them is required to be provided to Companies House because they are associated with land held via an overseas entity. The figure provided relates to all trusts recorded on the Register of Overseas Entities. Information about trusts is available to law enforcement and public authorities. Trusts are used for a wide range of purposes, including personal family arrangements, and providing for minors and vulnerable people. The Government needs to balance the right to privacy for these individuals against the value of transparency in combatting money laundering and economic crime. NOTEThese figures are Companies House management information and are unaudited. They are subject to change and should be regarded as an indication only.

Home Office: Junior Ministers

Richard Thomson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she plans to appoint a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exports.

Nigel Huddleston: Lord Offord of Garvel was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Business and Trade on 24 April 2023.Ministerial responsibilities can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-and-trade.

Manufacturing Industries: Renewable Energy

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department plans to provide funding to help support the electrification of industry.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Electrification of industry is key to decarbonisation. The Government already provides grants for fuel switching through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and Industrial Fuel Switching Competition. This year, the Government will publish a Call for Evidence on enabling industrial electrification, looking at the specific barriers and how these may be overcome.

Iron and Steel: Russia

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 3 May 2023 to Question 182551 on Iron and Steel: Russia, and with reference to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, what plans her Department has to enforce the ban on Russian steel processed in third countries from September.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The UK has taken a leading role in an internationally coordinated approach to sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, including through working together with international partners to tackle circumvention. This helps ensure sanctions have the maximum impact.The Government is working across multiple departments and agencies to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of UK sanctions. The Government will also support businesses to comply with the new iron and steel measures in the coming months.

Health: Working Hours

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer on 24 April 2023 to Question 180639 on Health: Working Hours, what is meant by a regular basis in the context of the working time regulations; what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the implementation of health checks on a regular basis by employers of night workers; and whether her Department plans to amend the working time regulations to define what a regular basis is for health checks.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Working Time Regulations provide specific protections to night workers. Before someone starts working at night, they must be offered a free health assessment to see if they are fit to work nights before they become a night worker and on a regular basis after that. Regulation 7(1)(b) of the Working Time Regulations 1998 states “An employer… shall ensure that each night worker employed by him has the opportunity of a free health assessment at regular intervals of whatever duration may be appropriate in his case.”We are consulting on proposals to improve how the Working Time Regulations 1998 operate without impacting the rights that really matter to workers.

Trade

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the debate on Safeguarding democracy, rights and the environment in international trade, which took place at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 27 April 2023.

Nigel Huddleston: As an independent nation in control of our trading future, the UK government considers a broad range of factors when developing international trade policy – including benefits to the UK economy and our international obligations.In line with those international obligations, the Government will continue to ensure that our trade policy reflects our high standards and protections – both in new trade agreements and via multilateral fora.Having secure and growing trading relationships can increase UK influence and assist open conversations with partners on a range of issues, many of which are listed in the Council of Europe report “Doc. 15739”.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Research: India

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department's press release UK and India sign landmark research agreement, published on 26 April 2023, whether funding for the collaborative activities to be carried out under the Memorandum of Understanding, listed as “Other UK-India Agreements”, is included within the £3.3 million of UK funding announced for the technology and skills partnership programme.

George Freeman: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Research: India

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department's press release UK and India sign landmark research agreement, published on 26 April 2023: whether the £8.3 million of funding announced will be counted towards the (a) international or (b) domestic government science spend.

George Freeman: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cabinet Office

Coronavirus: Communication

Damian Green: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Communications Service has conducted a formal systemic review into the public communications of all Government Departments during the covid-19 outbreak.

Alex Burghart: Communications was a critical lever for the government to deploy during the crisis. Government Communication Service professionals have used best practice from across the industry, public, private and third sectors to deliver COVID-19 Communications. Communications during the pandemic response were regularly reviewed and we adopted an agile approach to keep up with the evolving scientific understanding of the virus and the unpredictable nature of the spread. This iterative approach ensured that our communications were regularly evaluated and always relevant to the pandemic. Lessons learned have been shared across all of our subsequent communication campaigns.

Public Sector: Procurement

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of public procurement contracts have an annual value above £5 million excluding VAT.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Procurement Policy Note 06/21, entitled Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts, how many and what proportion of public suppliers have a Carbon Reduction Plan.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) bids have been rejected and (b) contracts have been terminated for failure to comply with Procurement Policy Note 06/21 as of 15 May 2023.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) his Department, (b) other Government Departments and (c) other relevant organisations take steps to assess the effectiveness and impact of Carbon Reduction Plans in the context of Procurement Policy Note 06/21.

Alex Burghart: In June 2021, the Government published Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21 - Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts - requiring suppliers bidding for contracts above £5 million per annum to commit to the Government’s 2050 Net Zero target and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan. Suppliers who fail to make such a commitment and publish their Carbon Reduction Plan risk being excluded from the procurement process. In FY 2020/21, 5% (578) of all procurements awarded were above £5m per annum. These accounted for over 90% of the total value of procurements in the same period. Over 2,500 suppliers have submitted compliant Carbon Reduction Plans in response to PPN 06/21, and 40 bids have been rejected for failing to provide a compliant Carbon Reduction Plan since the policy was launched. We do not hold centrally the number of contracts terminated as a result of failure to comply with PPN 06/21. Individual departments are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of Carbon Reduction Plans submitted by suppliers as part of their commercial activity. We do not hold this data centrally.

Office for Veterans' Affairs: Photography and Social Media

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much from the public purse the Office for Veterans' Affairs has spent on (a) photography, (b) videography and (c) social media promotion in each of the last 12 months.

Johnny Mercer: We are in a digital age, where social media and digital communications are an essential part of government. Photographers are a cross-government resource, supporting departments and Ministers, and play a critical role in the support of the Government’s digital communications activity and in progressing key policy areas.

Office for Veterans' Affairs: Civil Servants

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants work in the Office for Veterans' Affairs as of 15 May 2023; and at what grades.

Johnny Mercer: The Office for Veterans’ Affairs is located in the Cabinet Office and works with all UK Government departments and a large range of other private, charity and public sector organisations who collectively deliver support and services to veterans. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs is headed by a Director and has approximately 23 staff, in addition to receiving support from colleagues in the Cabinet Office communications and external affairs team, as well as the Minister’s private office. As announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget 2023, the Government is providing an additional £33 million to the Office for Veterans’ affairs over the next three years. This will allow for a significant expansion of the team in order to increase the service provided to veterans.

Home Office

Refugees: Afghanistan

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral statement of 28 March by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Official Report, column 849, when she plans to announce arrangements for the relocation to the UK of Afghans eligible for Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy in British High Commission funded hotels in Islamabad..

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office facilitates travel for individuals accepted by the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy only once suitable accommodation has been found. This includes individuals who have arranged their own accommodation in the UK. We continue to work at pace with Local Authorities and other partners to source suitable accommodation, in order to be able to welcome more Afghans. Between 2015 and 2022, we have offered places to almost half a million (481,804) people from all over the world seeking safety with our country specific and global safe and legal routes.

Asylum: Portland Port

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to prevent the spread of any infectious diseases in Portland barge; and what assessment she has made of the potential public health impacts of housing asylum seekers in Portland Barge on (a) Dorset Council and (b) Dorset health authority.

Robert Jenrick: We take both the welfare of those in our care and our wider public health responsibilities extremely seriously. This includes offering diphtheria vaccines and antibiotics to all asylum seekers on arrival. The Home Office provides 24/7 health facilities at Manston, including trained medical staff and a doctor for all those on site. All asylum seekers undergo a health check upon arrival and, if needed people are taken to hospital for further care.The vessel will be managed by a specialist and experienced provider, which has a strong track record of providing this kind of accommodation, having managed the two vessels in Scottish ports for the past year.

Asylum: Housing

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the purchase price was for Northeye Residential and Training Establishment; what the methodology was for how the purchase price was reached; and if she will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: This information is commercially sensitive. Spend on asylum accommodation is published at regular intervals.

Animal Experiments: Cosmetics

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislative proposals on banning animal testing of substances exclusively for use in cosmetics (a) where testing is required in order to assess the risk to workers of exposure to that substance and (b) in all other circumstances.

Tom Tugendhat: Animal testing of cosmetics for consumer safety has been banned in the UK since 1998 and this remains in force.On 17 May 2023 the Government announced it is going further by banning, with immediate effect, licences to test ingredients exclusively used in the production of cosmetics for the purposes of worker safety.The Home Secretary has issued a Written Ministerial Statement, which can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-05-17/hcws779.

Health Services: Foreign Nationals

Gareth Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department are taking to re-coup costs from unpaid medical treatment provided to non-entitled persons.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office is not responsible for recouping NHS debts. This is solely within the remit of each NHS trust. Migrants who are not entitled to free NHS healthcare are charged at 150% of the cost of treatment where charges apply.The NHS debtor rule acts as an immigration sanction which is imposed on migrants who accrue debts to the NHS exceeding £500. Migrants with outstanding NHS debts are notified to the Home Office once the debt has been outstanding for a period exceeding two months from date of invoice. An NHS debt may lead to further immigration applications being refused.

Asylum: Portland Port

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to provide asylum seekers accommodated in Portland Port with timely access to (a) mental health practitioners and (b) Section 12 approved doctors.

Robert Jenrick: Through the Multi Agency Forum health sub group, we are working closely with local health colleagues to ensure appropriate health and safety arrangements are in place. This includes on-site healthcare to limit pressures on local NHS services.

Asylum: Portland Port

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to provide interpreters for asylum seekers housed in Portland Port.

Robert Jenrick: We are discussing with the local voluntary and community sector about appropriate provisions.

Asylum: Portland Port

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of doctors and nurses helping asylum seekers on the barge at Portland Port.

Robert Jenrick: Through the Multi Agency Forum health sub group, we are working closely with local health colleagues to ensure appropriate health and safety arrangements are in place.We are working closely with local police forces and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place.

Cosmetics: Animal Experiments

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many licenses for animal testing of cosmetic ingredients have been issued since 2019 as a result of the European Chemicals Agency ruling; and to whom those licenses were issued.

Tom Tugendhat: Animal testing of cosmetics for consumer safety has been banned in the UK since 1998 and this remains in force.On 17 May 2023 the Government announced it is going further by banning, with immediate effect, licences to test ingredients exclusively used in the production of cosmetics for the purposes of worker safety.The Home Secretary has issued a Written Ministerial Statement, which can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-05-17/hcws779.Since 2019, the Animals in Science Regulation Unit has granted ten project licences, or amendments to licences, that specifically authorise the testing on animals of chemicals for use as ingredients in cosmetics under the REACH regulations.The Home Office does not publish details of licensed establishments.

Greenways Project: Motorcycles

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of the illegal use of greenways by motorbike users on other users.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to combat the use of Greenways in West Yorkshire by motorbike users.

Chris Philp: The Government recognises that any form of anti-social, dangerous or inconsiderate behaviour involving vehicles, including the illegal use of motorbikes on greenways, is a serious issue.No assessment has been made of the impact of the illegal use of greenways by motorbike users on other users.Enforcement of road traffic law, including in West Yorkshire, is an operational matter for individual Chief Officers in conjunction with local Police and Crime Commissioners to determine based on local policing priorities.

Metropolitan Police: Disciplinary Proceedings

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the (a) effectiveness of the misconduct process and (b) adequacy of decisions on (i) dismissals and (ii) other sanctions handed down by legally qualified chairs in the Metropolitan Police in the period (A) before and (B) after 2016.

Chris Philp: On 17 January 2023, the Home Secretary formally launched a review into the process of police officer dismissals to ensure that the system is fair and effective at removing those officers who are not fit to serve.The Terms of Reference were published on the same day and include the composition of misconduct panels, the consistency of decision-making in certain types of cases and the trends in the use of sanctions.

Police: Hertfordshire

Dean Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers are currently serving in Hertfordshire and Watford.

Chris Philp: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales, broken down by Police Force Area (PFA), on a bi-annual basis in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin.These data are collected by PFA only, and lower levels of geography, such as towns or boroughs are not collected. Data on the number of police officers in Hertfordshire Constabulary as at 31 March each year, from 2007 to 2022 can be found in the ‘Workforce Open Data Table’. The latest mid-year figure, as at 30 September 2022, is also available in the data tables accompanying the latest ‘Police Workforce’ bulletin.While the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin remains the key measure of the size of the police workforce, as part of the Police Officer Uplift Programme, the Home Office publishes a quarterly update on the number of police officers (headcount terms only) in England and Wales, also broken down by PFA. Lower levels of geography, such as towns or boroughs are not collected. Data as at 31 March 2023 are available here: Police Officer Uplift, quarterly update to March 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).The latest data from the ‘Police Officer Uplift’ statistics shows, as at 31 March 2023, there were 2,415 police officers (headcount) in Hertfordshire Constabulary. This is the highest number of police officers on record in Hertfordshire Constabulary surpassing the previous peak of 2,236 officers as at 31 March 2007.

Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla: Arrests

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has taken steps to request a report from the Metropolitan Police on protesters arrested and bailed with no further action during the Coronation on 6 May 2023.

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has requested a report from the Metropolitan Police on the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a journalist during the Coronation on 6 May 2023.

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers participating in the policing operation for the Coronation on 6 May 2023 received the Metropolitan Police Protest Liaison Team briefing on engagement with protesters.

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the number of policing officers from each police force participating in the policing operation for the Coronation on 6 May 2023.

Chris Philp: I refer the honourable member to my statement on 9 May. The Coronation was a resounding success and that is in no small part due to the dedication of thousands of officers who were part of what was one of the largest ever policing operations.The Metropolitan Police deployed more than 11,500 officers working on 6 May, including individuals on mutual aid from other forces. The breakdown of mutual aid from each force is an operational matter for the police.The Metropolitan Police Service is accountable to the Mayor of London. The police are also operationally independent and matters of briefing of officers and decisions on arrest are for them. It would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail about individual cases or the specific decisions taken.The Metropolitan Police published a statement on 7 May 2023 detailing the 64 arrests that were made during the Coronation operation and Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley published a statement on 9 May 2023 regarding the Coronation Policing operation.

Police: Training

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much has been allocated for equality and diversity training for police officers in the last financial year.

Chris Philp: The Home Office does not hold information on the funding allocation for equality and diversity training for police officers.Training standards and the national policing curriculum are set by the College of Policing. However, forces provide local training and development at several different levels ranging from initial entry, leadership and ongoing development to reflect and reinforce organisational values, including diversity and equality.Decisions on how to use funding and resources are an operational matter for Chief Constables. Police and Crime Commissioners are best placed to make resourcing decisions within their communities based on their local knowledge and experience.

Public Sector: Training

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Home Office public sector equality duty training numbers 2023, published 15 May 2023, how many of the 3,514 staff trained from December 2019 to March 2023 received their training between (a) 1 December 2019 to 31 August 2022 and (b) 1 September 2022 to 20 March 2023.

Chris Philp: I can confirm that of the 3,514 staff who have received their Public Sector Equality Duty training:a) 2,648 were trained between 1st December 2019 and 31st August 2022b) 835 were trained between 1st September 2022 and 20th March 2023.c) A further 31 staff were trained between 25th November 2019 and 30th November 2019. This falls out of the date range asked within the question but still contributes towards the 3514 total staff who received the training.An error was included in the initial publication stating the start date of the training as December 2019. The correct date is November 2019 and the publication has been updated to reflect this.

Refugees: Afghanistan

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department has spent on legal costs for Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy principals refused relocation to the UK by her Department on national security grounds who later had that refusal decision overturned.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office does not hold centralised data specifically in relation to the categories as tabled in this question.

Asylum: Portland Port

Richard Drax: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has hired contractors to provide food and water at Portland barge; and whether her Department plans to (a) provide and (b) require training for people providing services to that barge.

Robert Jenrick: I refer the Hon. member to my response to Question 182570: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: Young People

Tom Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many young people have not been admitted to the school named in their education, health and care plan in each of the last five years.

Claire Coutinho: The department does not have access to individual Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans and, as a result, we are unable to make an assessment of how many young people are not admitted to the school named in their plan.Starting from summer 2023, the department plans to collect data from local authorities on the capacity of special schools and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) units and resourced provision in mainstream schools, as well as forecasts of the numbers of specialist placements local authorities expect to make in SEND units and resourced provision, special schools (of all types) and alternative provision (AP). We expect this to be an annual data collection forming part of the existing School Capacity Survey, which will support local authorities in managing their specialist provision.The department is investing £2.6 billion between now and 2025 to fund new special and AP places and improve existing provision, including opening 33 new special free schools, with a further 48 in the pipeline.In the SEND and AP Improvement Plan of March 2023, we set out our proposal to require local authorities to provide families with a tailored list of settings as part of an amended process for naming a placement in an EHC plan.A tailored list would allow local authorities to give clear choices to families and better meet the needs of children and young people, while supporting them to manage placements in a way that ensures financial sustainability for the future.

Mental Health Services and Special Educational Needs: Students

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to increase the speed of (a) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services referrals for vulnerable students and (b) the testing process for Students with Special Educational Needs.

Claire Coutinho: Under the Children and Families Act 2014, mainstream schools must ensure a child or young person with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND), gets the special educational provision they need.The SEND Code of Practice is clear that meeting the needs of a child with SEND does not require a diagnostic label or test. Instead, the department expects teachers and schools to monitor the progress of all pupils and put support in place where needed, including arranging and funding appropriate diagnostic tests where appropriate.This government is supporting local integrated care boards to expand mental health services through the NHS Long Term Plan, which commits to increasing investment into mental health services by at least £2.3 billion a year by March 2024. This will enable an additional 345,000 children and young people to access the mental health support they need.As of spring 2022, 287 mental health support teams were in place in around 4,700 schools and colleges across the country, offering support to pupils with mental health issues. Over 500 mental health support teams are planned to be up and running by 2024.As part of the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, the department has committed to working with the Department of Health and Social Care to take a joint approach to SEND workforce planning, informed by a stronger evidence base.

Literacy: Boys

Ian Levy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative data her Department collects on the standard of boys' (a) language and (b) literacy skills prior to commencing primary education.

Claire Coutinho: The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework requires early years providers in England, ordinarily schools, to complete the EYFS profile assessment at the end of the academic year in which a child turns five. This is usually reception year.Each child’s level of development is assessed against 17 early learning goals (ELGs) across all seven areas of learning in the EYFS. This includes communication and language and literacy. For each ELG, practitioners must assess whether a child is meeting the level of development expected at the end of the EYFS, or if they are not yet reaching this level and should be assessed as ‘emerging’.The EYFS profile results for the 2021/22 academic year are available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results/2021-22. These statistics include breakdowns by characteristics such as gender.

Grammar Schools

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to promote the establishment of new grammar schools in areas where there is significant demand for selective education, including the Romford constituency.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent comparative data her Department holds on the performance of (a) grammar schools and (b) non-selective schools on (i) academic achievement and social mobility and (ii) Progress 8 scores.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to expand the capacity of existing grammar schools.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that pupil premium students in receipt of free school meals have equal access to grammar schools; and whether the government is taking steps to increase the number of such students attending grammar schools.

Nick Gibb: The Government has no plans to open more grammar schools. The Department’s priority is to concentrate on ensuring that as many pupils as possible, whatever their ability, have access to an outstanding education. Setting and streaming of pupils is common practice in secondary schools and enables teachers to tailor lessons to suit pupils of similar abilities and ensures that the highest ability pupils are offered additional stretch.The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) supports a small number of expansion projects. Eligible grammar schools can apply for CIF funding in an annual bidding roundThe below table shows the average Attainment 8 and Progress 8 data for non-selective and selective secondary schools in the 2021/22 academic year. It does not take account of the differences in pupil abilities or characteristics, for example free school meal eligibility, between selective and non-selective schools.Average Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores for selective and non-selective schools, 2021/22 Non-selective schoolsSelective schoolsAverage Attainment 8 score of schools47.874.1Average Progress 8 score of schools-0.060.57A wide range of published research looks at the effect of grammar schools on social mobility. Grammar schools offer benefits to those children that attend them. Research shows that, in some areas with lots of selective schools, the attainment of pupils at local non-selective schools is negatively affected relative to their peers in areas with no selective schools. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]The Department is currently looking at renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department and the Grammar School Heads Association (GSHA), which sets out the commitment of GSHA members to increase the number of disadvantaged pupils on roll. Alongside the MoU, the 22 grammar schools that previously received funding through the Selective Schools Expansion Fund (SSEF) all prioritise pupil premium children for admission and undertake outreach work to increase the number of disadvantaged pupils on roll. The Department is evaluating delivery of their Fair Access and Partnership Plans over a five-year period. Between 2018/19 and 2021/22, the percentage of pupils eligible for pupil premium attending SSEF schools has increased from 7.2% to 8.6%.[1] Andrews et al., 2016, EPI, “Grammar schools and social mobility”: https://epi.org.uk/publications-and-research/grammar-schools-social-mobility/.[2] Atkinson et al., 2006, "The result of 11+ Selection: An Investigation into Opportunities and Outcomes for Pupils in Selective LEAs": https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4798623_The_Result_of_11_Plus_Selection_An_Investigation_into_Opportunities_and_Outcomes_for_Pupils_in_Selective_LEAs.[3] Gorard and Siddiqui, 2016, "Grammar schools in England: a new approach to analysing their intakes and outcomes": https://dro.dur.ac.uk/20400/.[4] Burgess et al., 2018, "Assessing the role of grammar schools in promoting social mobility": http://repec.ioe.ac.uk/REPEc/pdf/qsswp1709.pdf.[5] Cribb et al., 2013, "Entry into Grammar Schools in England": https://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/poorgrammarreport-2.pdf.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans that the review of the relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance will (a) begin, (b) invite views from stakeholder organisations, (c) conclude and (d) be implemented in schools.

Nick Gibb: The Department is in the process of identifying and appointing the members of the independent expert panel, which will inform the wider review of the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance. The review started recently and will cover the full scope of the statutory RSHE guidance.The Department will seek to gather evidence from a wide range of stakeholders over the coming months and to consult publicly on an amended draft in the autumn, to conclude by the end of the year. The amended guidance will be published soon after, in early 2024.

Carers: Finance

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will make a comparative assessment of the impact of the variations in the levels of kinship carer payments across local authorities in England.

Claire Coutinho: Kinship carers play an extremely important role in both their kin children’s lives and in the Children’s Social Care system.On 2February 2023, the department published the consultation and children’s social care implementation strategy, which sets out how we will achieve broad, system-wide transformation: Stable Homes, Built on Love. Through this strategy the department has made a commitment to implement or explore each of the Review’s recommendations on kinship care.The department has committed to work across government to explore the case for mandating a financial allowance for kinship carers with Special Guardianship Order and Child Arrangements Order in every local authority.The department is also committed to publishing a national kinship care strategy by the end of 2023. This will provide an update on reform activity such as exploring financial allowances. The strategy will set out a long-term vision for kinship care, and detail how we can better support children and carers. We see this as a pivotal moment for kinship care and will be an opportunity to make real and lasting change.Statutory guidance issued to local authorities already makes it clear that children and young people should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare. There is no limit on the level of support, including financial support, that local authorities can provide. All local authorities should have in place clear eligibility criteria in relation to the provision of support services.

Further Education and Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of (a) further and (b) higher education courses that have been discontinued in England in the last two years.

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department consulted with Further Education colleges on the discontinuation of courses.

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the number of further education (a) arts, (b) vocational, (c) science and (d) technical courses that have been discontinued in the last two years.

Robert Halfon: The government’s qualifications reforms are designed to ensure that qualifications at level 3 and below are necessary, high quality, and have a clear purpose. A levels and T Levels should be at the heart of level 3 study programmes going forward. We do allow for other small, alternative academic qualifications in strategically important areas, and additional technical qualifications in areas not covered by T Levels, in specialist occupations and in cross cutting areas, such as health and safety. Our new system places the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education occupational standards at the heart of technical education, because these have been designed by employers and will give young people the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers need.The number of further education qualifications from which the department has removed funding approval in the last two years is 5,768 (2021/22 and 2022/23 funding years).This includes qualifications where funding approval has been removed as a result of the qualification having no or low publicly funded demand, or where qualifications have been reformed and newer qualifications developed in their place, for instance the introduction of new Essential Digital Skills Qualifications, which replaced older ICT qualifications.This does not cover where an awarding organisation decides to discontinue one of its qualifications or where a college, or other education and training provider, decides to stop offering a qualification.The department has not removed funding approval from any higher-level qualifications in the last two years.Where the department intends to remove funding approval from qualifications, further education (FE) colleges or other education and training providers are made aware through the publication and communication of initial lists of qualifications in scope. There is a process for awarding organisations to appeal the decision to remove funding approval, and FE colleges or other education and training providers are encouraged to work with awarding organisations to submit evidence for appeals.It is also important to point out that the department has and continues to consult on broader qualifications reform with colleges and other education and training providers.In the last two funding years, 450 arts qualifications and 36 science qualifications have had funding approval removed. 5,282 other vocational and technical qualifications have also had funding approval removed during this period.

Department of Health and Social Care

Members: Correspondence

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the email correspondence from the hon. Member for Sefton Central sent on 7 March 2023.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mould: Health Hazards

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of hospitalisations which were attributed to household mould inhalation in each of the last three years.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Stem Cells: Transplant Surgery

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to support patients receiving a stem cell transplant with the cost of living.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to reply to the email of the 8 of March 2023 from the hon. Member for Rochdale on sexual offences in Greater Manchester.

Maria Caulfield: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: Research

Dean Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve international collaboration on research into (a) slowing the symptoms of and (b) finding a cure for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Will Quince: The United Kingdom is committed to building international connectivity so that data and expertise can be shared for the benefit of people living with rare diseases. International collaboration is a cross cutting theme of the UK Rare Diseases Framework and we continue to engage with initiatives such as the Horizon Europe Partnership on Rare Diseases and the World Health Organization Global Network for Rare Diseases. The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In the last five years, the NIHR has supported the delivery of eight studies relating to Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva via NIHR infrastructure, which includes research on potential treatments.

Secure Psychiatric Units: Retirement

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration has he recently made of the potential merits of giving staff working in secure units the ability take early retirement from 60 years old.

Will Quince: The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the best available, providing generous retirement benefits for National Health Service staff. The Scheme is made up of the 1995 and 2008 Sections and the 2015 Scheme. From 1 April 2022, all members are now in the 2015 Scheme, which has a significantly improved accrual rate and is revalued by 1.5% above CPI inflation each year. The retirement age for members of the 2015 Scheme is linked to their State Pension age.Some staff who work in secure units, such as mental health nurses, may have Mental Health Officer status for their service up to 31 March 2022. After 20 years membership, these members can retire from age 55 without any reduction to their 1995 Section benefits. From 1 October 2023, a partial retirement option in the 1995 Section will allow staff to claim a portion of their pension benefits and continue working whilst building further pension.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency: European Union

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to replace the loss of European Union (a) resources and (b) staff at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Medicines Agency on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Will Quince: Since leaving the European Union, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has become an independent sovereign regulator. As set out in the Life Sciences Vision, MHRA is recognised as a global leader, playing a fundamental role in shaping global standards, acting with agility to allow safe and timely market access for vaccines, medicines, and technologies. MHRA received transitional funding from the Government from 2018 to 2020 and is primarily funded through fees, and also receives grant in aid funding from the Government. The Department receives regular updates on the performance and capacity of the MHRA through established mechanisms including quarterly and annual accountability reviews.

Hospitals: Leicester

Jane Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects University of Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to receive funding to (a) rebuild at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield and (b) build new facilities at Leicester General; and if he will take steps to increase funding for building work at these facilities.

Will Quince: The New Hospital Programme continues to work closely with the Trust on the development of their plans in alignment with our national approach to standardisation for the new hospitals we have committed to build. This ensures value for money is realised in delivering new, cutting-edge facilities for staff and patients. We continue to collaborate with all trusts in the Programme to ensure the funding they receive is reflective of an ongoing assessment of costs.Up to the end of 2022/23 University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust scheme received £7.46 million in funding for their new hospital scheme, which includes funding for work to prepare the site for construction of the new hospital. The funding for the full scheme will only be confirmed once its full business case has been reviewed and agreed, including by HM Treasury.

Medicine: Overseas Students

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many international medical students are studying at UK universities.

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the breakdown of nationalities of International medical students studying in the UK.

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many international medical students who completed their degree in the UK left the UK once qualified in the last five years.

Will Quince: Office for Students publishes statistics on number of entrants into medical courses. Latest figures show there were 875 entrants to medical schools in the United Kingdom that were ineligible to pay home fees, this is around 9% of the total number of entrants (9,820).The Department does not hold information on breakdown of nationalities or where international medical students go after training.

NHS: Staff

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with senior NHS staff on workforce planning for summer 2023.

Will Quince: The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care routinely engages with senior staff in the National Health Service in England, covering a range of issues including workforce planning.

Health Professions: Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of immigration on the (a) availability of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and (b) provision of healthcare services in the UK.

Will Quince: No assessment has been made. The Home Office publishes immigration statistics regularly which sets out details on those coming to work in the United Kingdom, including the number of people applying for the Health and Care visa. The Department of Health and Social Care considers and incorporates this evidence in its policy making.The Government has committed to publishing a long term workforce plan. This will help ensure that we have the right number of staff with the right skills to transform and deliver high quality services fit for the future.

Doctors: Apprentices

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of the planned NHS doctor apprenticeship scheme on health inequalities.

Will Quince: The medical degree apprentices will undertake the same General Medical Council approved training gaining skills and knowledge in a broad based training curriculum including health inequality. Medical degree apprentices will typically be recruited from their local areas making the medical workforce more representative of local communities and supporting local recruitment and retention in under-doctored areas. This in turn will support the improvement in health inequalities in local populations.

Health Professions: Labour Turnover and Training

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) provide newly qualified medical staff with clinical supervision and (b) increase retention rates of those staff.

Will Quince: When in the two year Foundation Programme, doctors are very closely supervised, and are always expected to work within their own personal level of competence as per General Medical Council guidance. Every Foundation Programme doctor has an educational supervisor; a senior doctor (usually a consultant or senior general practitioner), who is trained to ensure that the Foundation doctor develops across their whole two year programme, and a named clinical supervisor for each four month post; a senior doctor responsible for ensuring that the junior doctor receives good training in that particular job.The NHS People Plan and the People Promise pledge to build a more modern, compassionate and inclusive culture in the National Health Service to improve people’s experience of working in the NHS, and the retention of staff. This includes a much stronger focus on health and wellbeing, strengthening equality and diversity, culture and leadership and increasing opportunities for flexible working.NHS planning guidance for 2023/24 emphasised the need to support staff and has asked systems to refresh their 2022/23 whole system workforce plans to improve staff experience and retention through a systematic focus on all elements of the NHS People Promise.

NHS: Databases

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether non-NHS providers will be given access to data that could identify patients via the Federated Data Platform.

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether private companies in the (a) health and (b) care sector will be able to access data that could identify patients via the Federated Data Platform.

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Federated Data Platform, whether (a) people or (b) organisations with access to the platform to access information that could identify patients.

Will Quince: The primary users of the Federated Data Platform will be National Health Service hospitals, integrated care systems (ICS) and NHS England. At ICS level, the benefits of the Federated Data Platform will also be realised by local authorities, local government, and the third sector providing health and care services, although they will not access the data within the Federated Data Platform. Only private companies contracted to NHS or social care to deliver services will have access to data within the Federated Data Platform.Only people with a need to see patient identifiable information will be able to, for example a clinician treating a patient or a theatre scheduler scheduling a procedure. Each user of the platform will only see the data required to carry out a specific task and must have the correct legal basis to do so. At a national level, no confidential patient information will be used, the data will be pseudonymised or deidentified.Access to data in the Federated Data Platform will always be controlled by NHS organisations and will be compliant with General Data Protection Regulation and Information Governance rules. Use of data in the Federated Data Platform will be clearly auditable and assessed to ensure it meets data governance controls including compliance with legislation. Each use case will require a Data Protection Impact Assessment to articulate the data security and protection principals and lawful bases for deployment.

Urinary Tract Infections: Diagnosis

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to ensure that any point-of-care diagnostic tests for urinary tract infections approved by NICE are made available to women in (a) rural, (b) deprived and (c) other areas.

Will Quince: NHS England and the Anti Microbial Resistance Programme is working to support the development and deployment of point-of-care diagnostic tests approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis, and education on the use of these tests will form a key part of ensuring equitable accesses to women, including in rural and deprived areas.NHS England are also working with industry partners, charities, pathology and clinicians to understand the clinical need for new point of care diagnostics as this will help ensure the future pipeline of UTI diagnostics are fit-for-need.

Radiology: Paediatrics

Greg Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the number of of paediatric interventional radiologists employed per million children in the (a) NHS and (b) US.

Will Quince: The Surgery in Children Clinical Reference Group (CRG) provides clinical leadership and advice to NHS England and the Surgery in Children Operational Delivery Group, including on paediatric imaging and interventional radiology. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Programme of Care, the CRG and the Surgery in Children Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs) have had to prioritise surgery restoration and recovery, however, the issues linked to the concerns raised about access to interventional radiology are to be presented to the Women and Children’s Programme of Care on the 28 June 2023 and will also be presented to ODNs to incorporate into their respective network work programmes during 2023/24.The number of paediatric interventional radiologists will also be the subject of discussions between NHS England and the Department.

NHS: Databases

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) patients and (b) groups that represent patients on the proposed NHS Federated Data Platform; and whether his Department has identified any concerns relating to the Platform.

Will Quince: Public facing information was published ahead of the procurement contract notice launch and will continue to be published throughout the lifecycle of the programme. This information was developed with public voice advocacy groups which included medConfidential, useMYdata and The Patients Association.NHS England continue to engage members of the public directly on complex data topics, such as the public’s expectations of transparency and communications for future stages of the Federated Data Platform through various methods, including through focus groups and public dialogues. Engagement has identified concerns about who will be awarded the contract, who will have access to the data, and how it might be used.NHS England are working to develop a public facing campaign to run in 2023 to support greater understanding of the power and impact of the use of health data to transform services, improve care and save lives, and to address these concerns.

NHS: Databases

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what provision he will make for patients to be able to opt out of having their information stored on the Federated Data Platform.

Will Quince: Where applicable, National Data opt outs and Type 1 opt outs will apply to the Federated Data Platform. These opt outs apply where confidential patient information is being processed for secondary purposes and will not apply to an individual's direct care.

Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision of VMIC UK Services Ltd to sell the Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre on the UK's vaccine manufacturing capabilities.

Will Quince: The decision to sell the Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC UK Ltd) was made by VMIC UK Ltd's Board of Directors. The facility was subsequently sold to Catalent. Once completed, it is intended that the facility will be capable of producing a range of therapeutics and vaccines. Over £405 million has been invested to strengthen United Kingdom manufacturing infrastructure to ensure a robust response to COVID-19 and potential future health emergencies and we have ambitious plans to invest more into the vaccine ecosystem and supply chain. Officials continue to engage with industry stakeholders to understand the wider landscape and implications for vaccine development and manufacturing in the UK.

Neuroblastoma: Research

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding his Department has allocated for research into treatment of neuroblastoma in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Will Quince: A table is attached showing the research funding into treatment of neuroblastoma.The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is also supporting delivery in the health and care system of neuroblastoma research, funded by research funding partners in the charity and public sectors. For example, over the last 10 years, the NIHR Clinical Research Network has supported approximately 27 neuroblastoma related studies.The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including neuroblastoma. As with other Government funders of health research, the NIHR does not allocate funding for specific disease areas. The level of research spend in a particular area, is driven by factors including scientific potential and the number and scale of successful funding applications.Research funding  (xlsx, 16.4KB)

Medical Equipment: Procurement

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to assess the accuracy of expiration dates on (a) oxygen masks, (b) blood bottles and (c) plastic pipes during procurement processes.

Will Quince: The expiry date of a medical device is required in regulation and is particularly important where a device has a safety-related characteristic or performance is likely to deteriorate over time. Expiry dates of medical devices are determined through risk analysis of key safety characteristics during the regulatory certification process. This is established from data gathered during the device’s development, demonstrating the time limit for which the device is safe to use.Contracting authorities are responsible for ensuring a procured product complies with relevant regulatory standards and is supplied with sufficient remaining shelf life, as stated on product labelling.

Plastics: Health Hazards

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will create a National Plastic Health Impact Research Fund.

Will Quince: Since 2018, the Government has committed over £100 million for research and innovation support to tackle the broad range of issues that arise from plastic waste. This includes funding research on the health impacts of plastic through UK Research and Innovation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Whilst it is not typical to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions, both funders welcome funding applications for research into the health impacts of plastic.

Tourette’s Syndrome: Health Services

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the quality of training for service providers on (a) Tourette’s syndrome and (b) other tic disorders.

Will Quince: Individual employers are responsible for ensuring that staff are trained, competent and have the necessary skills to safely and effectively treat patients in their care, including those with Tourette’s syndrome and other neurological disorders.E-learning for Healthcare has produced modular online learning resources in relation to Tourette’s and other tic disorders, within its neurodevelopmental disorder and healthy schools programme domains, which are freely accessible to all including service providers.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency: Reform

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the BioIndustry Association and (b) other biotech industry representatives on the Government's proposed reforms to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the retention of (a) staff and (b) skills at the agency.

Will Quince: The Government has no proposed or planned reforms of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Brain: Tomography

Ben Everitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of GP surgeries in England that have sent patients directly for brain imaging through head (a) MRI and (b) CT scans in each of the last five years.

Ben Everitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether local health bodies hold data on how many GP surgeries across England have sent patients directly for brain imaging through head (a) MRI and (b) CT scans in each of the last five years.

Neil O'Brien: NHS England holds data for four years 2018/19 to 2021/22 but only partial data for 2022/23. The following tables shows the number of general practices in England for which patients received Magnetic Resonance Imaging of head or Computed Tomography of head via a general practitioner (GP) direct access.2018/192019/202020/212021/22MRI of head5,4585,3795,1735,218CT of head5,3485,4244,8725,005Source: Diagnostic Imaging Dataset, https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostic-imaging-dataset/. The Government is not aware of whether local health bodies have data on the number of GP surgeries across England who refer patients directly for brain imaging.

Allergies: Health Services

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the regional availability of allergy care provision across England.

Helen Whately: No assessment has been made.

Health

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of unaddressed sensory health, vision and hearing conditions on (a) mental health and (b) cognitive decline.

Helen Whately: No specific assessment has been made.

Community Diagnostic Centres

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his Department and NHS England decided which specific procedures, methodologies and equipment would be carried out and used to complete the checks scans and tests delivered by the Community Diagnostic Centres; if his Department will publish a list of any applicable NICE Guidance followed within the diagnostic tests carried out in Community Diagnostic Centres.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department issues on the criteria to be used by his Department and NHS England when deciding (a) which diagnostic tests would be provided within Community Diagnostic Centres and (b) which tests would be provided within each Community Diagnostic Centre.

Helen Whately: NHS England published guidance for systems in June 2022. The guidance details for systems best practice and guidance on planning, designing and implementing Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs). This includes on commissioning, planning governance, engagement, estates and site selection, digital connectivity, workforce development and pathway development. Systems must take account of this guidance in their planning and modelling.Standard and large model CDCs must offer core services across, Imaging (for example, CT, MRI), Physiological Measurement (for example, Echocardiography, Spirometry), and Pathology (for example, phlebotomy, urine testing). Large CDCs will also offer Endoscopy services (for example, Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy) as part of their core services. Spoke CDCs can meet specific service needs and help integrate CDC models with other community diagnostic expansion.

Heart Diseases: Diagnosis

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of heart failure diagnoses made by Community Diagnostic Centres to date.

Helen Whately: We do not hold data on the number of heart failure diagnoses made by Community Diagnostic Centres.

Hearing Impairment and Visual Impairment

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) gather data at population level on hearing and sight loss and (b) improve delivery of services for people with hearing and sight loss.

Helen Whately: Data is already collected showing the number of adults and children registered as being blind or partially sighted with local authorities in England. The Department do not have any plans to collect data on hearing loss. Where sight or hearing loss leads to a social care need, local authorities are responsible for assessing individual’s eligibility for care and support. The Action Plan on Hearing Loss (2015) sets out key objectives on hearing loss including, prevention, early diagnosis, maximising independence, and enabling people to take part in every-day activities.‘Commissioning Services for People with Hearing Loss: A Framework for Clinical Commissioning Groups’ was published in July 2016. This framework supports the newly established integrated care boards in England to make informed decisions on maximising value for local populations and provide consistent, high quality, integrated care. It also addresses inequalities in access and outcomes between hearing services.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

Dean Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department provides for (a) people diagnosed with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and (b) their families.

Helen Whately: There is no specific prescribed service for treatment of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). However, children with FOP are cared for by National Health Service paediatric rheumatologists and/or geneticists with input from other clinicians as required. For patients with rare diseases such as FOP, expert centres provide clinical guidance, support and advice to patients, their families and carers.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to provide additional resources to local authorities and public health to help tackle the increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections.

Neil O'Brien: Dedicated sexual health services play a key public health role in diagnosis, early treatment and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We are providing more than £3.5 billion this financial year to local authorities through the Public Health Grant to fund public health services, including sexual health services, increasing to £3.575 billion in 2024/25. This will provide every local authority real-terms funding protection over the next two years. Individual local authorities are responsible for and well placed to make funding and commissioning decisions about the sexual health services that best meet the needs of their local populations.As part of the HIV Action Plan, we are investing over £3.5 million from 2021 to 2024 to deliver the National HIV Prevention Programme for England, including HIV Testing Week and other campaigns to improve information and testing for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other STIs.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) conducts comprehensive surveillance of STIs and HIV in England and uses this data to understand national and local level trends and monitor preventative interventions. UKHSA also undertakes work to inform STI prevention programmes such as the National Chlamydia Screening Programme delivered by local authorities.

Health: Disadvantaged

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions has he had with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on addressing health inequalities.

Neil O'Brien: Ministers and officials in the Department of Health and Social Care meet regularly with Ministers and officials from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to discuss plans to address health inequalities by driving progress on the levelling up mission to increase Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) by five years by 2035 and narrow the gap in HLE by 2030.

Electronic Cigarettes: Prices

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of an enforced increase in the price of disposable vapes.

Neil O'Brien: No assessment has been made.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Ofgem: Powers

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to strengthen the powers of Ofgem.

Amanda Solloway: The Government is currently carrying out a review of the duties of economic regulators such as Ofgem and we plan to consult later this year. The Government is also considering the recent amendment made by the House of Lords to Ofgem’s decarbonisation duty and note that on 10 May the Government published, for consultation, a Strategy and Policy Statement setting out the policy priorities and desired outcomes as a guide to Ofgem.

British Gas: Ebico

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help ensure that British Gas allows former Ebico customers access to their credit.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will discuss with British Gas access for former Ebico customers to their credit and any court-assessed costs.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the credit owed to domestic customers following the transfer of business from Ebico to British Gas; and what plans he has to help those customers recover court-assessed costs.

Amanda Solloway: The trade sale of Robin Hood Energy’s domestic customer base, which included the white label provider, Ebico’s customers to British Gas, was a commercial matter between the two companies and Government cannot intervene. It is for the courts to determine an assessment of the costs incurred during a court process.

Local Government: Carbon Emissions

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with local authorities on co-designing net zero plans for local delivery.

Graham Stuart: The Government engages with local authorities on net zero issues through the Local Net Zero Forum, which brings together national and local government to discuss local net zero policy and delivery issues.

Hydrogen: Heating

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2023 to Question 182830 and in the context of hydrogen being blended into the grid, whether his Department has made an assessment of the way energy billing mechanisms would be updated to (a) reflect varying calorific values of blended gas and (b) prevent additional costs from being passed onto consumers owing to the increased volume of gas being burned.

Graham Stuart: UK gas bills are calculated in kWh and are determined by the volumes of gas served and the Flow Weighted Average Calorific Value (FWACV) of gas served. As such, although blending hydrogen into the grid would increase the volumes of gas burned, the resulting consumer bills should be unchanged due to the lower calorific value of blended gas. The Government is working closely with gas networks to assess potential interactions between hydrogen blends and gas billing. Value for money will be a key factor in determining whether and/or how to enable the wider roll-out of blending into the gas network.

Fuel Poverty

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including measures in the contracts for difference scheme that allow developers to prioritise projects within geographical areas that have high levels of fuel poverty.

Graham Stuart: In the UK's wholesale electricity market, power generated from Contracts for Difference (CfD) projects is delivered to the National Grid and so is not allocated to specific geographical areas. The Government has recently published a Call for Evidence on introducing non-price factors into the CfD scheme. Non-price factors being considered include investments in assisted areas.

Private Rented Housing: Energy

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to require local authorities to publish Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard levels for domestic private rented properties in their areas.

Graham Stuart: The Government has consulted on raising minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. As part of this consultation, the Government sought views on a) introducing a compliance and enforcement database to support local authorities with the enforcement of regulations in their area and b) disclosure or benchmarking around how effectively local authorities address tenant complaints where a property is in breach of the regulations. The Government will publish a summary of responses to this consultation by the end of the year.

Climate Change: Departmental Coordination

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on coordinating cross-departmental prioritisation of net zero actions.

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to establish an Office for Net Zero.

Graham Stuart: The creation of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero means there is a department dedicated to delivering the Government’s climate ambitions and a senior ministerial voice in Cabinet whose focus, alongside energy security, is driving overall delivery of net zero across government and maximising the economic opportunity the transition presents. The Department’s officials work closely with counterparts across government to coordinate action, particularly with Cabinet Office and HM Treasury to ensure that net zero is prioritised and aligns with other priorities.

Photovoltaics

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number and proportion of solar panels installed in the UK that were wholly manufactured in the UK in the last three years.

Graham Stuart: The Department does not hold specific information on the number and proportion of solar panels installed in the UK that were wholly manufactured in the UK.

Turbines: Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of the cost of manufacturing new wind turbines for use in the UK that has been incurred in factories based in the UK in the last three years.

Graham Stuart: The Department does not hold this data.

Offshore Industry: Environment Protection

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to ensure that potential changes to the retained EU law The Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 (as amended) (a) preserve safeguards relating to the impacts from oil and gas activities in protected sites and (b) support conservation objectives.

Graham Stuart: Any future changes to the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 (as amended) would seek to, as a minimum, maintain existing standards of environmental protection.

National Grid

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to expand the electricity grid before 2030.

Andrew Bowie: The Government is committed to expanding electricity network capacity to accommodate new clean sources of electricity generation and demand, as set out jointly with Ofgem in the Electricity Networks Strategic Framework. Nick Winser, the Electricity Networks Commissioner is reviewing the network delivery process and will provide recommendations to government in June on how the timeline could be halved. Ofgem has already accelerated approximately £20bn worth of network investment necessary to support the government’s 2030 renewables ambition. For lower voltage distribution networks, Ofgem has allowed £22.2bn up to 2028 to help expand distribution network capacity ready for low carbon technology growth.

Heat Pumps

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department has made an estimate of the take up rate for heat pumps in existing dwellings up to 2030.

Graham Stuart: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero estimates that current and proposed policies could support total retrofit heat pump uptake of around 60,000 in FY24/25, 90,000 in FY25/26, 150,000 in FY26/27, 250,000 in FY27/28, 400,000 in FY28/29 and between 500,000 - 700,000 in 2030.

Energy: Conservation

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on improving the environmental performance of rented homes on levels of rental payments.

Graham Stuart: Alongside the consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, the Government has published an impact assessment, which includes an assessment of the potential impact on rental payments. The Government is refining the policy design to ensure the costs, circumstances, and potential impacts relating to energy efficiency improvements are fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants. The Government will publish a summary of consultation responses by the end of this year and will publish an updated impact assessment once the final policy decisions are made.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Holiday Leave

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications of the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling in the 2017 case of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council v Willetts & Ors for the calculation of holiday pay entitlement for staff in her Department; and if he will make a statement.

Graham Stuart: The Department is aware of the ruling and will reflect the position in its policies. The Department is still working through the mechanics of the recent Machinery of Government change. This includes finalising which staff will be transferred into the Department. It is therefore not yet possible to assess accurately the impact on the Department.

Renewable Energy: Prices

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing the tariffs offered by energy suppliers to homeowners who generate renewable energy on (a) household energy bills, (b) climate targets and (c) energy security.

Graham Stuart: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a cost-reflective and market-led mechanism. It is for suppliers to determine the value of the exported electricity and to take account of the administrative costs associated when setting their tariffs. The Department has made no assessment on the potential impact of raising SEG tariffs, but Ofgem produces an annual report on the SEG that can be found on their website.

Industry: Electrification

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to (a) explore and (b) capitalise on the potential of (i) industrial heat pumps, (ii) electric boilers and (iii) other industrial electrification to boost efficiency and reduce emissions (A) the chemicals sector and (b) other industries.

Graham Stuart: The Government provides grants for fuel switching through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, which includes support for industrial heat pumps, electric boilers and other electrification technologies. This year, the Government will publish a Call for Evidence on enabling industrial electrification, looking at the specific barriers and how these may be overcome.

Chemicals: Fossil Fuels

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero what plans his Department has to help support the chemicals industry to transition away from fossil fuel feedstocks in their products.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to support more resource efficient, circular business models for (a) the chemicals sector and (b) related downstream products.

Graham Stuart: The Government is supporting research that will identify opportunities for the chemicals sector to become more circular, delivering resource efficiency and waste reduction objectives throughout the chemicals supply chain. This includes support for the UKRI-funded National Interdisciplinary Centre for the Circular Chemical Economy. UKRI is also providing grants to support the use of sustainable feedstocks. The Government has commissioned further research exploring barriers and opportunities around improving resource efficiency across UK industry, including the chemicals sector and related downstream products. This research will be published in due course, and will inform an assessment of policy options to support increased circularity.

Electricity Generation: Carbon Emissions

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has been made of the additional electricity (a) generation and (b) network capacity required by (i) 2030, (ii) 2040 and (iii) 2050 to enable the introduction of sufficient electric logistics vehicles to meet the target of net zero by 2050.

Andrew Bowie: The EV Smart Action Plan published earlier this year, estimated that the electrification of cars, vans and HGVs could add 50 – 70 TWh by 2035 and 90 – 140 TWh by 2050 to electricity generation. The Department has not estimated the additional electricity generation or network capacity required specifically from electric logistics vehicles. Ofgem is responsible for regulating networks to deliver for Net Zero. Under the most recent price control, Ofgem has allowed £22.2bn for investment in low voltage networks, including £3.1bn for network upgrades to enable technologies, like electric vehicles, to join the grid.

Fuel Poverty

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on implementing the Sustainable warmth: protecting vulnerable households in England strategy, published 11 February 2021.

Amanda Solloway: The Government is committed to reviewing the strategy regularly and delivering on its statutory fuel poverty target. Fuel poverty statistics are published annually to track progress against the target. The latest statistics were published on 28th February 2023: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-fuel-poverty-statistics-report-2023. Energy efficiency improvements are the best way to tackle fuel poverty long term. The Government is delivering improvements in low income, vulnerable and fuel poor homes through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Home Upgrade Grant, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Local Authority Delivery schemes. The Government also announced an additional £1bn for further energy efficiency improvements through the Great British Insulation Scheme.

Business: Hydrogen

Duncan Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the transition of the Bacton gas terminal to hydrogen energy on businesses.

Graham Stuart: As well as supporting UK energy independence, low carbon hydrogen will be critical to supporting vital British industries transition away from expensive oil and gas. Hydrogen can provide greener energy for power, transport and potentially home heating. The Government welcomes the development of all potential hydrogen projects, such as that proposed at Bacton. The Government is working closely with the oil and gas industry to achieve a managed energy transition, including through the North Sea Transition Deal, which could support up to 40,000 high-quality direct and indirect supply chain jobs.

Department for Transport

Great British Railways

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans that the headquarters of Great British Railways will be operational.

Huw Merriman: Derby has been announced as the successful location, GBRTT is working with Derby City Council to identify a site. They will then need to produce a business case for the site. Following this, commercial contracts will then need to be agreed.

Tonnage Tax

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2023 to Question 177809 on Shipping: Tonnage Tax, whether his Department requires companies linked to vessels that are not part of the Red Ensign Group to provide evidence in their returns that they are (a) strategically and (b) commercially managed in the UK.

Mr Richard Holden: HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for determining whether a company or group is eligible to elect into the UK Tonnage scheme.

Railway Stations: Enfield

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making (a) Enfield Chase and (b) Gordon Hill stations step free.

Huw Merriman: The Department is actively committed to improving accessibility at stations. We are assessing over 300 nominations, including for Enfield Chase and Gordon Hill stations, for the next tranche of the Access for All programme. We hope to be in a position to announce successful projects later this year.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Office of Rail and Road requested that Network Rail consult in line with the Safety Representative and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 in respect of Network Rail’s modernising maintenance programme.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what training has been provided to Network Rail safety representatives on the changes brought in by the Network Rail’s modernising maintenance programme.

Huw Merriman: Network Rail safety representatives have been fully briefed throughout the consultation process at both a national and local level and are trained to carry out their roles in this process. As local consultation continues, they remain engaged with the specific local changes being implemented in Network Rail’s routes. Whilst the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) did not request that Network Rail consult in line with the Safety Representative and Safety Committee Regulations 1977, all organisational changes in Network Rail are subject to a formal safety change, and trade unions are consulted in line with the regulations. The ORR did attend one of the consultation meetings as observers and were satisfied with the consultation process being followed. Network Rail’s maintenance modernisation programme is fully transparent to the ORR and senior leaders across the organisation regularly engage with the regulator to keep them fully sighted.

Bus Services

Simon Lightwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Government plans to publish its guidance on the (a) definition and (b) role of socially necessary bus services as set out in the National Bus Strategy for England.

Mr Richard Holden: We plan to publish new guidance on socially and economically necessary bus services during this Parliament.

Transport: Alternative Fuels

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has plans to increase the production of low carbon fuels for all logistics transport modes.

Mr Richard Holden: The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), is the main scheme in the UK supporting producers of low carbon transport fuels. It stimulates the production of low carbon fuels by setting volume targets for their supply in road transport and non-road mobile machinery, with targets rising from 14.22% in 2023, to 17.4% from 2032 onwards. The RTFO does not prescribe the volume in which renewable fuels must be supplied by sector. It provides flexibility to producers of low carbon fuels to determine where to deploy them and this may include logistics sectors. This enables targets to be met in a way that minimises cost to the consumer.

Large Goods Vehicles: Charging Points

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of charge points required to support the introduction of (a) large commercial electric vehicles and (b) electric trucks in the context of the 2050 net zero target.

Mr Richard Holden: There are various estimates about the numbers of chargepoints required for HGVs. The Climate Change Committee suggested that 340,000 depot-based chargers would be needed by 2050 and over 900 ultra-rapid chargers. The European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association suggested that the UK would require 2,450 ultra-rapid chargers by 2025, increasing to 8,200 by 2030. Recent research for Transport and Environment suggested that a total of 400,000 chargers would be required by 2050, 93% of which would be located at depots.

Electric Scooters

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what lessons his Department has learned from e-scooter trials launched in 2020; and if he will take steps to introduce e-scooter legislation by 31 May 2024.

Jesse Norman: Rental e-scooter trials were launched in July 2020 across England. The Department for Transport commissioned an independent evaluation of the e-scooter trials, covering data up to December 2021. The evaluation examines how and why rental e-scooters are used, and by whom, as well as safety, mode shift, environmental and wider social impacts. The Department published the findings report of the national evaluation of e-scooter rental trials in England on 15 December 2022.The findings have already been used to inform updates in guidance and regulation of the e-scooter trials and will continue to be used to inform policy development. These include:mandatory unique identification numbers for all rental e-scooters, to allow members of the public to differentiate trial from non-trial e-scooters; andincreased guidance and encouragement for operators to provide helmets and incentivise their use.The Government plans to introduce legislation for private and rental e-scooter use when parliamentary time allows and will consult on regulations in due course.

Railways: Industrial Disputes

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Office of Rail and Road is required to approve plans for the use of contingency staff by (a) Network Rail and (b) the Train Operating Companies during industrial action on the railways.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data his Department holds on safety incidents arising from the use of contingency staff during industrial action on the railways in 2022 and 2023.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Office of Rail and Road has provided any reports to (a) his Department, (b) Network Rail and (c) train companies managed by the Operator of Last Resort on safety incidents related to the use of contingency staff during industrial action on the railways.

Huw Merriman: The Department does not hold any information on contingency workers during industrial action. This would be held by the employers. It is for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to engage directly with these train operating companies and Network Rail over any safety matters relating to the running of contingency services during industrial action.

Railways: Industrial Disputes

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the performance of the Office of Rail and Road in its oversight of rail safety and incidents during industrial action on the railways.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has issued guidance on action that can be taken against the Office of Rail and Road in the event that they fail to properly investigate and act on safety incidents.

Huw Merriman: The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is an independent statutory body, with powers vested by Parliament in its governing board. As such, the ORR is an independent regulator and operates within the framework set by UK legislation and is accountable through Parliament and the courts, rather than through the Department. It is through this that the assessment of the ORR’s oversight is conducted, and the ORR is held accountable for its performance.

Cars: Carbon Emissions

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a UK-wide target for reducing car miles driven annually in the UK in the context of reducing emissions and the fifth carbon budget.

Jesse Norman: In July 2021 the Department published its the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which set out an ambitious and credible pathway for decarbonising the transport sector in line with carbon budgets and net zero by 2050. In addition, the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate pursues one of the most ambitious transitions away from fossil fuels anywhere in the world, allowing the Government to effectively decarbonise transport in this country.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions have taken place between Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road on Network Rail’s Modernising Maintenance programme.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Office of Rail and Road has taken steps to ensure that Network Rail consults on its Modernising Maintenance programme.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions the Office of Rail and Road has had with Network Rail on consulting with workplace safety representatives for Network Rail’s Modernising Maintenance programme.

Huw Merriman: Network Rail undertook thorough and meaningful consultation on its proposals to modernise the working practices in its maintenance function with its elected employee representatives between January and October 2022. In accordance with requirements, a separate detailed consultation on employee safety has also taken place with employee representatives, which remains on-going.Network Rail’s Maintenance Modernisation programme is fully transparent to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and senior leaders across the organisation regularly engage with the ORR to keep it fully sighted. The ORR attends the Network Rail Safety Validation panel that is working through the management of the change process that Network Rail is following.

Railways: Concessions

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2023 to Question 180134 on Railways: Concessions, when his Department plans to publish the outcome of its review of the Disabled Persons Railcard.

Huw Merriman: The Department is currently working alongside the Rail Delivery Group and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee to undertake a review of the Disabled Persons Railcard and expects to complete the review during 2023.

Great British Railways: Costs

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of transitioning to Great British Railways.

Huw Merriman: The SR 2021 allocated £205 million for the period 2022/23 to 2024/25 to begin the mobilisation of Great British Railways. The cost of establishment and ongoing operations of Great British Railways will be confirmed in the final business case.

Great British Railways

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to bring forward legislative proposals to formally establish Great British Railways.

Huw Merriman: We are working closely with the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) and the sector and will progress legislation when parliamentary time allows. Many reforms and tangible benefits for rail users can be delivered ahead of legislation, such as workforce reform, simplifying fares and continuing the rollout of Pay-As-You-Go ticketing, building local partnerships, simplifying industry practices and the publication of the first draft of the Long-Term Strategy for Rail.

Railways: Strikes

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of train strikes on 12 May 2023 on (a) the number of cars on the roads and (b) the level of emissions of (i) nitrogen dioxide, (ii) PM 2.5 and (ii) other gases.

Huw Merriman: HMG has not undertaken research into the impact of the 12 May strikes on traffic levels. Evidence from previous strikes, reported at Rail Strikes Survey, shows that some passengers switch to driving to deal with the disruption caused by strikes. This may have impacts on congestion and pollution in some areas. The Government is focused on resolving this dispute so that critically needed workforce reforms can take place, supported by a fair pay deal. The trade unions will not prevent the need for these reforms by targeting public events with strike action. The Department publishes daily usage of domestic transport by mode for Great Britain on a monthly basis on Gov.uk and traffic data for 12 May 2023 will be published on 14 June. A wide range of factors can impact traffic and associated emissions: given the comparable lack of data points, any direct assessment of the impact of strike action on 12 May 2023 on traffic and associated emissions would not be robust and the Department has no plans to model individual days.

Brinnington Station

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the quality of the facilities and infrastructure at Brinnington railway station.

Huw Merriman: Rail North Partnership (RNP) works closely with Northern Trains, Network Rail, Transport for the North and its members to identify opportunities to improve station facilities as part of the Operator Business Planning process. RNP is not aware of any specific plans for Brinnington station.

Railway Stations: Defibrillators

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of railway stations in Greater Manchester are equipped with defibrillators.

Huw Merriman: 86 Greater Manchester stations, more than 95 per cent, are equipped with defibrillators.

Public Transport

Gareth Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Deportment holds on passenger numbers (a) before the imposition of covid-19 restrictions in March 2020 and (b) after the covid-19 pandemic for (i) national rail services, (ii) buses (A) in England outside of London, (B) in London and (C) in Wales and (iii) London Underground services.

Mr Richard Holden: The department holds daily usage figures as a percentage of the pre-covid baseline for rail, non-London bus, and TfL London bus and London tube from the start of March 2020 to date. The data covers Great Britain. This information is publicly available (Daily domestic transport use by mode). Statistics are also publicly available which provide a regional breakdown including data for areas A, B and C for bus (annual bus statistics) and rail passenger numbers (Regional rail usage | ORR Data Portal).

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Ukraine: Reconstruction

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department’s (a) process and (b) criteria was for selecting attendees for the Ukraine Recovery Conference; and if he will place a copy of the attendees list in the House of Commons Library.

Leo Docherty: As co-hosts for the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), the programme and attendance at the Conference has been agreed between the Governments of Ukraine and the United Kingdom. In addition to the countries and organisations who have participated in previous URCs, we have also invited countries from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America, recognising the economic consequences of the war globally. A greater number of international businesses, have also been invited to promote the strength and potential of the private sector to support Ukraine's recovery. Representatives from Ukrainian and international civil society have been selected from across sectors with a criteria of diversity and representation across national, regional and local levels.

Nigeria: Religious Freedom

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Nigerian counterpart on (a) reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria and (b) the defence of the rights to freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government condemns all incidents of violence across Nigeria and is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for communities of all faiths. I [Minister Andrew Mitchell] discussed the effects of insecurity on communities with President-elect Tinubu in December 2022. Additionally, in July 2022, at the UK's Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, the Nigerian High Commissioner reiterated his Government's commitment to freedom of religion or belief. Our High Commission in Nigeria regularly engages with Nigerian officials and local communities on this. We will continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to assist affected communities and implement long-term solutions.

Kosovo: Council of Europe

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Council of Europe on the vote of 24 April 2023 on Kosovo’s membership application.

Leo Docherty: The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Lord Peach, discussed the 24 April vote with Kosovo President Osmani on 5 May. The UK welcomes the decision by the Council of Europe's (CoE) Committee of Ministers to pass Kosovo's application to the CoE Parliamentary Assembly (PACE). This next step in the process will allow due consideration of the application in accordance with standard Council of Europe membership procedures.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections

Sir Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government will take with the East African Community on helping to ensure that the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo in December 2023 are free and fair.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government has a long-standing commitment to supporting prosperity, development, and stability in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UK is working with stakeholders to support the delivery of elections this year. We continue to emphasise the need for these to be free, fair, inclusive, and transparent to support long-term stability and prosperity. We engage frequently and at a senior level with the Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) on regional security issues through our missions, and in the UK. We support the EAC led Nairobi Process, a regional process which aims to counter the latest spiral of violence in eastern DRC. We have committed funding towards this process.

Somalia: Human Rights

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the protection of human rights in Somalia.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Human rights remain under threat across Somalia, with serious issues such as gender-based violence, recruitment of children into armed conflict, and threats to media freedom. The UK views the promotion of respect for human rights across Somalia, including Somaliland, as essential to the country's long-term stability. We regularly engage with the authorities to urge them to improve human rights protection. In particular, we encourage the Federal Government to pass key legislation, including the Sexual Offences Bill and the Child Rights Bill, to help safeguard the rights of women and children, as well as to amend the 2020 Media Law to enable the media to report independently without risk of retribution.

Russia: Sanctions

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with G7 counterparts on the seizure and repurposing of Russian state assets.

Leo Docherty: We continue to work across the G7 to share expertise and experience on possible options for seizing Russian-linked assets in the UK that could be used to pay for reconstruction in Ukraine. The G7 February and April Leaders' Statement reiterated that Russia will have no access to the assets frozen or immobilised in the UK until it ends its violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. International partners have also frozen a significant volume of assets but, like the UK, are yet to fully test the lawfulness of this.

Developing Countries: Debts

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of legislating to incentivise private creditors to participate in debt relief for low-income countries.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK, alongside the G20 and Paris Club, expect private creditors to participate in debt restructurings on terms at least as favourably as bilateral (i.e. country) creditors.The Government is focused on delivering a market-based (contractual) approach to private sector participation, for example recently developing Majority Voting Provisions for private loans.

Sudan: British Nationals Abroad

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many children with British citizenship are currently in Sudan.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Since 25 April, the UK has supported the departure of 2,450 people, including British nationals, dependants, and other eligible nationals out of Sudan. The UK Government continues to provide limited consular assistance to British nationals still in Sudan, communicating through our telephone consular helpline and Travel Advice updates. We do not have verified data on those British nationals (including children) remaining in Sudan. British nationals who require assistance can call us 24/7.

Development Aid: Women

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much official development assistance he plans to allocate for delivery of his Department's International women and girls strategy 2023 to 2030, published on 8 March 2023, in the 2023-24 financial year.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: There is no 2023/24 allocation for delivery against FCDO's International Women and Girls (IWG) Strategy. The FCDO Programme Allocations Written Ministerial Statement of 30 March [https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-03-30/hcws705] states that the Government remains committed to delivering the priorities set out in the International Development Strategy (IDS). We continue to work towards the target on restoring funding for vital work on women and girls and the new target set out in the IWG Strategy for at least 80 per cent of the FCDO's bilateral aid programmes to have a focus on gender equality by 2030. FCDO will use all our levers, not only spend, on this agenda.

Sudan: British Nationals Abroad

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to communicate with British nationals and British residents currently in Sudan.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government continues to provide limited consular assistance to British nationals still in Sudan and to those who have left by alternative means to neighbouring countries. We communicate with British nationals through our telephone consular helpline, Travel Advice and other targeted communications with those who have registered with us.

Somalia: Non-governmental Organisations

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to assist local NGOs in Somalia to access (a) UK and (b) UN funding for humanitarian and peacebuilding projects.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) play an important role in delivering UK-funded humanitarian and peacebuilding support. The UK-funded Building Resilient Communities in Somalia consortium comprises both Somali and international NGOs working together to deliver life-saving famine prevention and resilience-building interventions. The UK is also a major supporter of the Somalia Humanitarian Fund, which in 2022 delivered 61 per cent of its funding (a total of $43 million) through national NGOs. The Start Network, of which the UK is the largest supporter, are establishing a Somali Humanitarian Hub to help increase local organisations' access to finance from the Network. In addition, the Somalia Stability Fund (SSF) in its third phase will offer a number of opportunities for local NGOs to support the implementation of SSF peacebuilding and reconciliation projects.

Sudan: Development Aid

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many of the Government's partners in Sudan are continuing operations and delivering aid; in which regions; and in what capacity.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: All humanitarian partners in Sudan remain highly constrained in their ability to operate as a result of the ongoing violence and lack of workable humanitarian access, with many having ceased or suspended operations, particularly in Darfur and Khartoum. The UK are supporting an international humanitarian response in Sudan that harnesses locally led initiatives and supports local actors.There can be no aid without safe access - we are therefore committed to working with the UN and others to support the operationalisation of the Jeddah Declaration, signed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces on 11 May. This Declaration committed the parties to enable safe and reliable humanitarian access and allow life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians.

Visas

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will have discussions with the Treasury on the potential merits of issuing guidance to UK based pension providers that the British National Overseas passport should be considered a valid identity document for the purposes of unfreezing the pension assets of people from Hong Kong who have moved to the UK under the BNO visa scheme.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: We are aware of the difficulties British National (Overseas) (BN(O))s are experiencing in seeking early withdrawal of their pension held by the Mandatory Provident Fund in Hong Kong. The root of the problem is the Chinese Government's decision not to recognise the BN(O) passport as a valid identity document in Hong Kong. The UK firmly opposes the discrimination of BN(O)s in this way. We have urged the Hong Kong authorities to facilitate the early drawdown of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently. I last did so with Christopher Hui, Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury on 18 April and pressed for a pragmatic solution. The Investment Minister, Lord Johnson, also raised the matter with Hong Kong's Commercial Secretary, Algernon Yau, during his recent visit to Hong Kong.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Afghan nationals have been (a) issued with visas and (b) resettled in the UK following the completion of the Pathway 3 referral process.

Leo Docherty: The issuance of UK visas is a matter for the Home Office. We are pleased to have welcomed the first arrivals to the UK under the ACRS Pathway 3 and look forward to welcoming all remaining individuals as soon as practicable. Arrival numbers will be updated in the quarterly Immigration Statistics, released by the Home Office and available on gov.uk.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of the security situation in Pakistan on the safety of Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy eligible Afghan nationals in Islamabad.

Leo Docherty: The British High Commission in Islamabad monitors the security situation in Pakistan closely. Staff in the High Commission are responsible for operational decision-making in relation to the safety of those eligible for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) being supported by HMG in Pakistan, including through managing the accommodation and other support provided. The MOD holds overall responsibility for administering the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).

Tim Owen

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken recent steps to help ensure the safety of Tim Owen in Hong Kong.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: Supporting British nationals overseas remains the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's central public service. When British nationals need assistance overseas, our highly trained consular staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our staff make an assessment of an individual's vulnerability and needs in order to offer tailored assistance.

Deep Sea Mining

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the International Seabed Authority on whether it would issue exploitation licences for deep-sea mining projects prior to the establishment of sufficient evidence about the potential impact on deep-sea ecosystems.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The UK is fully engaged in the ongoing negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council and Assembly in Kingston, Jamaica, to agree deep sea mining exploitation regulations.The UK's policy is not to sponsor or support the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects unless and until there is sufficient scientific evidence about the potential impact on deep sea ecosystems and strong enforceable environmental Regulations, Standards and Guidelines have been developed by the ISA and are in place. The UK's approach is both precautionary and conditional.

Hong Kong: National Security

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his Chinese counterpart on the detainment of citizens, activists and politicians under the national security law in Hong Kong.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: We have been clear that deliberate targeting of pro-democracy figures, journalists and business people under the National Security Law (NSL) in Hong Kong is unacceptable. Actions by the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, including the imposition of the NSL, demonstrate China's ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration; a legally binding and international treaty China willingly entered into. As the Foreign Secretary outlined on 25 April, we are entitled to act when China breaks its international obligations and we will raise areas of disagreement with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities. The Foreign Secretary did so with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on 5 May and at the UN Human Rights Council on 27 February.

EU Countries: Electricity Interconnectors

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the installation of additional interconnectors to EU countries, including in the North Sea.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The Foreign Secretary and Minister for Europe work closely on energy issues with colleagues in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. At present, three interconnector projects to Denmark, Ireland and Germany are in construction. A further two interconnector projects to France hold regulatory approval in Great Britain. On 24 April 2023, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero attended the North Seas Summit in Ostend where the UK signed a declaration for the coordinated development of the North Seas with neighbouring North Seas countries.

Sustainable Development

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to respond formally to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Summit 2023; and what progress his Department has made on achieving the goals.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK is committed to working to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as set out in the International Development Strategy (IDS) and Integrated Review (IR23). The UN's SDG Summit in September will mark the mid-way point to 2030. We will work closely with our partners to accelerate progress towards the SDGs at this critical juncture and ensure the SDG Summit delivers for all, including the poorest and most vulnerable.

Central Asia: Climate Change

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Central Asian counterparts on (a) climate change cooperation and (b) reduction in emissions.

Leo Docherty: We regularly engage on climate change and reducing emissions in Central Asia, both bilaterally and through multilateral fora. For example, during his visit to Astana in March the Foreign Secretary signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kazakhstan to encourage collaboration in developing and applying hydrogen technology. The Minister for Europe has also raised climate issues in meetings with interlocutors from Central Asia, and we have dedicated officials based in the region who lead on climate and environmental matters for the UK. We provide funding to a number of projects in the region which aim to improve climate cooperation and reduce the emissions produced by the Central Asian states.

Ukraine: Reconstruction

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the repurposing of seized Russian state assets to support reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

Leo Docherty: The FCDO is working closely with other Government departments including the Home Office and the Treasury as well as law enforcement agencies to identify all possible options for seizing Russian-linked assets in the UK that could be used to pay for reconstruction in Ukraine. While the UK is pursuing this at pace, ensuring any policy implemented is safe, robust, and compliant with the rule of law is of paramount importance.

EU Countries: Overseas students

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the (a) Home Secretary and (b) Secretary of State for Education on improving access to UK universities for students from EU countries.

Alyn Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for (a) Education and (b) the Home Department on reducing (i) barriers and (ii) costs of obtaining visas for EU students studying at UK universities.

Leo Docherty: International students make a significant economic and cultural contribution to the UK's higher education sector. They enrich the university experience for all students, including those from the UK themselves. They bring greater diversity to university and college campuses adding an international dimension. For both international and domestic students, this cultural exchange helps build life-long friendships, future networks, and important business, political and diplomatic bridges.We fully anticipate the UK continuing to be an attractive destination for EU students and for students from across the globe.The Foreign Secretary speaks to his counterparts on a range of collective issues.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Housing

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2023 to Question 146780 on Armed Forces: Housing, who sets the key performance indicators for the Future Defence Infrastructure Service contracts for service family accommodation; who decides whether those indicators have been met; and what the consequences are when indicators are not met.

James Cartlidge: The Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for the Future Defence Infrastructure Service contracts for Service Family Accommodation are set by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). The DIO decides whether the KPIs have been achieved using data provided by the suppliers. There are a number of potential consequences of not reaching the acceptable level of performance, including a percentage of the profit being withheld.

Daniil Lyashuk

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on whether Daniil Lyashuk was in possession of NLAWs after his conviction in Ukraine.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Department holds no information on this.

Ukraine: Military Aid

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to supply Ukraine with (a) storm shadow and (b) other missiles with a range of between 100 and 300 kilometres.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has imposed a requirement that missiles supplied to Ukraine may only be used within Ukrainian territory.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on the targeting of Ukrainian (a) air and (b) missile strikes.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has provided permission to Ukraine to use UK-supplied missiles to strike targets in Crimea.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his Department's policy to support Ukraine's military strategy to recover the Crimea as a part of Ukraine.

Mr Ben Wallace: I have had numerous discussions with my Ukrainian counterpart and other members of their government. We cover a range of topics relating to the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Daniil Lyashuk

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK armed forces provided (a) advice or (b) training to Daniil Lyashuk between February 2022 and April 2023 as part of the UK's assistance to Ukraine.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department security vetted every person from Ukraine that received training from the armed forces since February 2022.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the number of convicts that have been released early by Ukraine to fight against Russia since February 2022.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK military has trained any Ukrainians since February 2022 who were released early from prison.

Mr Ben Wallace: The UK has trained over 15,000 recruits from Ukraine to assist the country in repelling Russia’s illegal invasion.

Warships

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2022 to Question 51440, when he plans to report the findings of the review.

Mr Ben Wallace: Shortly after the announcement of the Surface/Sub-Surface Review in September 2022 the Prime Minister announced an Integrated Review Refresh and associated MOD Defence Command Paper Refresh. The Department concluded the initial Surface/Sub-Surface Review in December 2022. The conclusions of the Surface/Sub-Surface Review will form a key component of the Defence Command Paper Refresh and will not be published separately.

Military Bases: City of York

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the House of Commons Report, MOD Disposal Database, published on 7 March 2023, if he will provide a list of all military sites in the City of York Authority.

James Cartlidge: Military sites in the City of York Authority are listed below: Government Pipeline Storage System Elvington Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall Strensall Training Area Imphal Barracks, Fulford Road Towthorpe Lines, Strensall, part of the former RAF Elvington The following sites are Reserve Forces and Cadet Association (RFCA) sites: Duncombe Barracks Worsley Barracks Yeomanry Barracks Strensall Army Cadet Force Head Quarters RFCA Head Quarters There are 310 Service Family Accommodation properties in the City of York.

Shorncliffe Camp: Sales

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the dates on which Shorncliffe Army Camp’s barracks were disposed of.

James Cartlidge: Shorncliffe Garrison was sold to Taylor Wimpey on 28 February 2014 and is being disposed of in several phases, with final completion forecast in Financial Year 2026-27.

Pendennis Castle

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the ownership structure is of (a) Pendennis Castle and (b) Duke of York’s Royal Military School.

James Cartlidge: Pendennis Castle and The Duke of York's Royal Military School are Ministry of Defence Freeholds held in the name of the Secretary of State for Defence.

Deverell Barracks: Sales

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 May 2023 to Question 182493, when he plans to transfer Deverell Barracks to Homes England.

James Cartlidge: Arrangements are being put in place for the transfer of Deverell Barracks to Homes England by 31 March 2024.

Low Flying: Training

Duncan Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with the RAF on the potential merits of varying low flying training to help limit disruption to local residents in (a) North Norfolk constituency and (b) other areas.

James Heappey: The RAF, along with the other Services, is keenly aware of its responsibilities to the public and would prefer not to cause any disturbance to those on the ground. Every effort is made to spread low flying training as widely and equitably as possible across the whole of the United Kingdom; however, areas with flying units nearby, such as North Norfolk, will inevitably see more military aircraft in the area, not least as they make their way to and from base to other training areas, including over the North Sea.

Ministry of Defence: Holiday Leave

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications of the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling in the 2017 case of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council v Willetts & Ors for the calculation of holiday pay entitlement for staff in her Department; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence includes all overtime in the calculation of holiday pay entitlements, and therefore assesses there are no implications from this Employment Tribunal (UKEAT/0334/16/JOJ) for its staff.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his American counterpart on the matter of the British Indian Ocean Territory, known as the Chagos Islands.

James Heappey: The Secretary of State and MOD officials are in regular contact with the US on a range of issues including the British Indian Ocean Territory / Chagos Archipelago.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK military personnel are receiving training on operating the Protector UAV.

James Heappey: The first Protector Operational Conversion Unit course commenced on 1 May 2023 and consists of 24 aircrew.

Russia: Ukraine

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of Russian Armed Forces personnel in Ukraine (a) killed in action, (b) wounded and (c) deserted since 24 February 2022.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of Wagner mercenaries (a) killed in action, (b) wounded and (c) deserted from their posts since 24 February 2022.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate has his Department made of the number of Russian Armed Forces personnel (a) killed in action, (b) wounded and (c) deserted during fighting in Bakhmut.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of Russian (a) main battle tanks, (b) armoured fighting vehicles, (c) fixed wing aircrafts, (d) helicopters, (e) unmanned aerial vehicles, (f) ships, (g) artillery systems, (h) multiple-launch rocket systems and (i) other capabilities destroyed in Ukraine since 24 February 2022.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 December 2022 to Question 105235 on Russia: Armed Forces, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of the morale of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine since December 2022.

James Heappey: We estimate that approximately 200,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded in the conflict, including up to 60,000 killed in action. Since summer 2022, Wagner and regular Russian forces have likely suffered over 30,000 personnel killed and wounded in the Popasna-Bakhmut area alone. We estimate that over 5,500 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,000 main battle tanks, 80 fixed wing aircraft, 84 helicopters, 230 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 810 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed. Morale amongst Russia's armed forces has been low since the start of the conflict. Heavy losses, poor leadership, and inadequate equipment have all contributed to this. Moreover, a large proportion of Russia's land forces are now made up of mobilised personnel who likely have low motivation to fight in the conflict.

Sudan: Armed Forces

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK military personnel remain in Sudan.

James Heappey: There are no UK military personnel remaining in Sudan.

Armed Forces: Housing

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Cabinet Office's key performance indicators data for October to December 2022, if he will explain what the key performance indicators (a) voids prepared to Move-in Standard, (b) Customer Satisfaction and (c) Right First Time refer to in respect of service family accommodation contracts awarded to Amey and Vivo.

James Cartlidge: The table below details the key performance measures and what they refer to for, a) voids prepared to Move-in Standard, (b) Customer Satisfaction and (c) Right First Time in respect of the Service Family Accommodation contracts awarded to Amey and Vivo: Performance MeasurePurposeVoids prepared to Move-in StandardTo determine the performance of the Supplier in preparing SFA for Move-in.Occupant Satisfaction with Response MaintenanceTo determine the overall level of Customer Satisfaction with Reactive Maintenance tasks.Occupant Satisfaction at Move-InTo determine the overall level of Customer satisfaction with the Service receivedOccupant Satisfaction with Planned MaintenanceTo determine the overall level of Customer satisfaction with the Service receivedRight First TimeTo determine the effectiveness of the Supplier in completing Reactive Maintenance tasks to a good standard in a single visit.

Agnes Wanjiru

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings the Royal Military Police have had with Kenyan authorities on the investigation into the murder of Anges Wanjiru.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Royal Military Police last met with Kenyan authorities on the investigation into the murder of Agnes Wanjiru.

James Heappey: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the former Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Leo Docherty) on 5 January 2022 to Question 92810 which remains extant.Agnes Wanjiru (docx, 22.3KB)

Afghanistan: Refugees

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March to Question 162468 on Afghanistan: Refugees, how many Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy cases are awaiting processing by his Department.

James Heappey: As of 16 May 2023, 62,564 cases are awaiting processing.The Ministry of Defence continues to process ARAP applications at pace, and In January, February and March 2023 consecutively, we processed and issued decisions on more applications than in any month previously. We aim to process all outstanding initial applications by August 2023.

Ukraine: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether all UK donations to Ukraine of (a) Challenger 2; (b) AS90; (c) FV340 Bulldog; (d) Stormer; (e) FV103 Spartans; (f) M113; (g) Wolfhound; (h) Mastiff; (i) Husky; and (j) FV104 armoured vehicles have been delivered to Ukraine.

James Heappey: All listed platforms have been delivered. In total we have sent over 300 armoured and protected mobility vehicles to Ukraine, including ancillary equipment and essential equipment support packages to ensure they can be used effectively on the battlefield as part of an integrated force.

Armed Forces: Housing

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Cabinet Office's key performance indicators data for October to December 2022, if he will explain what the key performance indicators (a) Customer Satisfaction and (b) Right First Time refer to in respect of the service family accommodation contract awarded to Pinnacle.

James Cartlidge: The table below details the key performance measures and what they refer to for Customer Satisfaction in respect of the Service Family Accommodation contracts awarded to Pinnacle: Performance Measure CategoryPerformance MeasurePurpose  Performance Measure Category 5 Customer SatisfactionAllocation satisfactionTo determine the overall level of customer satisfaction with the service received.Move-in satisfactionTo determine the overall level of customer satisfaction with the service received.Post Move-in satisfactionTo determine the overall level of customer satisfaction with the service received.Move-out satisfactionTo determine the overall level of customer satisfaction with the service received.Additional Needs and Disability Adaptations (ANDA) satisfactionTo determine the overall level of customer satisfaction with the service received. Pinnacle does not have a ‘Right First Time’ measure.

Army

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce the size of the full-time British Army to 73,000 soldiers; and which regiments will be affected by this policy.

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his policy on reducing the size of the full-time British Army to 73,000 soldiers on its ability to respond to global threats.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence is reviewing whether it is now right to reduce the Regular Army to 73,000, as planned under Future Soldier. That process is ongoing. Through an adaptive approach, personnel numbers and force design are determined to ensure Defence remains threat-led and the Armed Forces remain ready to deter and defend the nation should they be called upon to do so. Any specific policy changes or updates required related to defence capability and force design will be determined once the update to the Defence Command Paper has concluded.

Military Aid: Strikes

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of covering strikes by military personnel on the work of the British Armed Forces.

James Heappey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I previously gave on 15 December 2022 to Question 108382.Military Aid (docx, 22.3KB)

Afghanistan: Refugees

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of allowing Afghan nationals living in the UK who came under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy to enrol in HM Armed Forces.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Individuals with Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK have no immigration restrictions on their employment, however, under section 340 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, the right to enlist in the UK Armed Forces is restricted to British (British citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territory Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen), Irish, or Commonwealth citizens, as either sole or dual nationals. The only exception to this legislation is the special and unique arrangement permitting Nepalese citizens to enlist in the Brigade of Gurkhas. Afghans relocated under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, and any other migrants to the UK, would only be eligible to enlist in the UK Armed Forces if they applied for and obtained British nationality or were a dual Commonwealth or Irish national.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy eligible Afghan nationals are in British High Commission funded hotels in Islamabad as of 15 May; and how many of those are under 18 years old.

James Heappey: As of 16 May 2023, 1,276 ARAP eligible people are currently accommodated by the British High Commission in Islamabad. Of these, 686 ARAP eligible individuals are under the age of 18.We continue to accommodate and support ARAP eligible people in Pakistan while they await relocation to the UK. When relocation becomes possible for individuals or family groups, we use commercial flights to bring individuals to the UK.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2023 to Question 184299 on Royal Fleet Auxiliary, what estimate he has made of the time needed to bring a RFA Wave Class Tanker back into operational service.

James Cartlidge: We do not disclose information, or comment on levels of readiness for Royal Navy assets as to do so could prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

A400M Aircraft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Mean Time was between Unscheduled Removal for A400M aircraft in the Forward Available Fleet in each of the last 12 months.

James Cartlidge: Mean Time Between Unscheduled Removal is an aircraft component reliability metric, a measure of how long, usually in flying hours, a component is expected to remain serviceable when fitted to an aircraft, rather than a measure of aircraft availability. The information is not held in the format requested and could only be provided if at all, at disproportionate cost.

RAF Valley: Noise

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2022 to Question 110598 on RAF Valley: Noise, what information his Department holds on the proportion of flying hours that Texan training planes have flown over (a) Arfon (b) North Wales and (c) overwater; and if he will provide a list of counties where training flights have taken place.

James Cartlidge: Texan aircraft based at RAF Valley operate over a number of areas, including the North Wales Military Training Area and the Valley Aerial Tactics Area, which extend over a significant portion of north and mid-Wales, as well as the Irish Sea. Through its flight planning and daily tasking processes, RAF Valley works to distribute training flights to differing areas as equitably and fairly as possible.However, there is no requirement for RAF Valley to retain post-flight any details of specific areas or Parliamentary constituencies actually overflown. Therefore, it is not possible to provide detailed information on specific proportions of flying hours overflying any given geographical area.

HMS Glasgow

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects BAE complete its investigation of the alleged sabotage aboard HMS Glasgow.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he expects the alleged sabotage on board HMS Glasgow to delay the in service date of the ship.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has ruled out the possibility of the damage on board HMS Glasgow being sabotage carried out on behalf of a hostile state.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps has his Department taken with BAE Systems to increase safety and security checks on board warships being constructed for the Royal Navy.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the recent damage to HMS Glasgow on its planned delivery date.

James Cartlidge: The cause of damage to cabling in HMS Glasgow has yet to be determined and it would be inappropriate of me to comment at the present time. It is not anticipated that the damage will impact on HMS Glasgow's in-service date. Security at BAE Systems' shipyard has been increased as part of the investigations into this incident.

Type 45 Destroyers: Repairs and Maintenance

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when each Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer will (a) begin and (b) complete their Power Improvement Project upgrade.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department expects all Type 45 destroyers to have had their Power Improvement Project upgrade completed.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has reported technical issues with (a) HMS Daring and (b) HMS Dauntless after their Power Improvement Project upgrade.

James Cartlidge: Completing the Power Improvement Project (PIP) work is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy's current and future operational commitments. PIP work on HMS Dauntless and HMS Daring has completed. HMS Dauntless has been handed back to the Royal Navy and has returned to operational service. HMS Daring is undertaking refit and regeneration work at Portsmouth. PIP work is ongoing on HMS Dragon. HMS Defender is due to commence PIP work in Portsmouth later this year. It is planned that all six Types 45 ships will have received the PIP conversion by 2028. No PIP-related technical issues have been reported in either HMS Dauntless or HMS Daring.

Ministry of Justice

Domestic Abuse: Homicide

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report prepared for the Home Office by Analytics Cambridge and QE Assessments Ltd entitled Domestic Homicide Reviews: Quantitative Analysis of Domestic Homicide Reviews October 2020 – September 2021, published in June 2022, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the severity of punishments for domestic homicide.

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies on punishments for domestic homicide of the paper entitled Quantitative Analysis of Domestic Homicide Reviews October 2020 to September 2021, published on 12 April 2023.

Edward Argar: In March 2023 this government published the independent Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review and announced that we will be changing the law so that sentencing reflects the severity of these crimes. We will introduce statutory aggravating factors to increase sentences for murderers with a history of controlling or coercive behaviour against the victim, and for murders involving ‘overkill’ which is the use of excessive or gratuitous violence beyond that necessary to kill. Building on our ban of the ‘rough sex defence’ in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, we also want to see longer sentences for perpetrators of so-called rough sex manslaughter and have requested that the Sentencing Council update their guidelines so that the courts can impose a higher sentence in these circumstances. The Review makes a number of other recommendations which we are carefully considering, and our full response will be published before summer recess. The Home Office commission the 'Quantitative Analysis of Domestic Homicide Reviews’ (DHR) reports by QE Assessments Ltd to share learning and insights from the DHR process. The cases reviewed in the QE Assessments report are likely to also feature in the cases reviewed by Clare Wade KC in the Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review.

Ministry of Justice: Equality

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2023 to Question 180193 on Ministry of Justice: Equality, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of his Department having  no central record of Equality Impact Assessments on its compliance with its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty to eliminate (a) direct and (b) indirect discrimination across its policies.

Mike Freer: The Ministry of Justice is satisfied that it is discharging its responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) because, as explained in the Answer of 19 April, we ensure that assessment of equalities impacts is integrated in the development, implementation and review of our policies. We do, however, keep our practice under review.

Employment Tribunals Service

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many unpaid (a) employment tribunal awards and (b) ACAS settlements were passed to High Court Enforcement Officers in each financial year since 2010-11; and how many of those unpaid awards and settlements (i) have been fully enforced; (ii) could not be enforced and (iii) remain unresolved.

Mike Freer: Proceedings to enforce Employment Tribunal awards can be issued in the Kings Bench Division of the High Court. These proceedings take the form of a writ of control which is then forwarded to a High Court Enforcement officer to enforce. The number of writs that have been issued in the King’s Bench Division for the calendar years 2019 to 2021 is as follows:2019 – 322020 – 72021 – 22 The figures provided form a subset of the writs of fifa (also known as writs of control) which are published publish in table 4.6 of the RCJ publication found here. Data up to the end of 2022 will be published on 1st June so is subject to pre-release protocol. We can only provide the data up to 2021 on this occasion Data from 2010 to 2018 is not available. Kings Bench Division records do not distinguish between awards made at the end of Tribunal Proceedings and those cases that settled during the process. The High Court is not notified of the outcome of writs sent to High Court Enforcement Officers for enforcement.

Powers of Attorney

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department is taking steps to raise awareness of the different types of power of attorney; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Freer: The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is committed to making Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) accessible for all, and recognises that awareness of OPG’s services is key to achieving this.  OPG has previously run the ‘Your Voice, Your Decision’ campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of LPAs and to tackle common misconceptions. This included targeted commercial and community radio advertising, and working with partners to reach key audiences. OPG continues to use a range of social media channels and maintains regular dialogue with key stakeholders. These activities aim to highlight the importance of planning for the future, how OPG’s services can be accessed, and how LPA applications can be filled in accurately.

Prisons: Staff

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prison staff were aged 60 or over in each of the last ten years.

Damian Hinds: Information on the number of staff, aged 60 in HM Prisons (including YCS) for the years 2014 – 2016 is given in Table 1. Figures are as at 31 March each year.Information on the number of staff, aged 60 in HM Prisons (including YCS) for the years 2017 – 2023 is available in the public domain: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hm-prison-and-probation-service-workforce-quarterly-march-2023.Table 1 Number of prison staff in post - aged 60 and over(1) - as at 31 March from 2014 to 2016Staff in postHeadcount of staff aged 60 or overPercentage of staff aged 60 or overAs at 31/03/20142,7508%As at 31/03/20152,7088%As at 31/03/20162,3027% Notes:Age as at date.

Probate

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to help reduce the processing time for probate applications.

Mike Freer: Despite record level of receipts in 2022 the average length of time taken for a grant of probate following receipt of the documents required has been maintained at between 5 and 8 weeks.HMCTS has increased resources to meet the higher demand following an increased number of estates requiring probate and is further increasing resourcing to further bring down overall timeliness on digital and paper applications.

Courts

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to increase the capacity of the courts.

Mike Freer: The outstanding Crown Court caseload has been falling since October. We have invested a significant amount of funding for the Criminal Justice System to help improve waiting times for victims of crime and reduce the outstanding Crown Court caseload. We are recruiting up to 1,000 judges across all jurisdictions in 2023/24, last year removed the limit on sitting days in the Crown Court for the second financial year in a row, and recently announced the continued use of 24 Nightingale courtrooms into the 2023/24 financial year. We have also significantly increased funding to improve waiting times in the civil and family courts and tribunals. This includes increasing funding to Cafcass by £8.4 million last financial year to deal with more open active cases. To help maximise our available judicial capacity, we also introduced a virtual region pilot scheme in July to support civil and family courts in London and the South East. This allows deputy district judges from outside these regions to sit virtually in London and the South East so we can hear as many cases as possible.

Repossession Orders

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many home repossessions there have been in each of the last 4 quarters for which data is available.

Mike Freer: The MOJ Publishes the figures for how many claims for repossession are brought to court, how many possession orders are made, how many possession warrants are issued and how many repossessions are carried out by county court bailiffs. These figures are published up to December 2022 here - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mortgage-and-landlord-possession-statistics.

Ministry of Justice: Holiday Leave

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications of the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling in the 2017 case of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council v Willetts & Ors for the calculation of holiday pay entitlement for staff in her Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Freer: The Ministry and its associated arm's length bodies have considered the impact of the judgement referred to. The calculation of holiday pay was subsequently applied to all forms of voluntary overtime and is still in payment across the department and its arm's length bodies.

Small Claims: Electronic Government

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Money Claim Online system.

Mike Freer: Money Claim Online (MCOL) is a digital service first released in 2001 which allows users to start and reply to a civil money claim for a fixed amount of money less than £100,000. Digital claims and responses are processed automatically on the day of receipt, users also have the opportunity to respond on paper, these paper responses can take longer to process. Weekly performance statistics are published here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-civil-business-centres-performance-information/weekly-performance-national-business-centres-updated-5-december-2022. If a case is defended it is no longer supported on MCOL and is printed and posted to a local county court to proceed on papers only. HMCTS has invested £1.3bn in the HMCTS Reform Programme to deliver large-scale modernisation. As part of the Programme, HMCTS is developing the Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) service - providing a more modern, user-friendly service beyond the functionality of the MCOL service. Cases progress three times quicker in the OCMC service (9 weeks compared to 27 weeks) and user satisfaction currently sits at 97%. The service will ultimately replace MCOL.

Administration of Justice: Electronic Government

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve the performance of the County Court Business Centre.

Mike Freer: We have implemented a recovery action plan, introduced a new leadership structure focusing on performance recovery and are exploring task force activity to help to reduce the backlogs as soon as possible. For the current delays in service provision, we apologise. We are keeping all stakeholders informed and dealing with priority work where necessary.

Prison Service: Dismissal

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prison staff aged 60 or over were dismissed from service because of medical inefficiency in each of the last ten years.

Damian Hinds: Information on the number of staff, aged 60 in HM Prisons (including YCS) who left for reasons of ‘Dismissal - Unsatisfactory attendance’ or ‘Dismissal - Medical Inefficiency’ is given in the table below. For some years, the recording of ‘Dismissal - Medical Inefficiency’ were recorded against ‘Dismissal - Unsatisfactory attendance’ and so both sets of figures are given and combined.Table 1 - Number of prison staff dismissed from service due to Medical Inefficiency & Unsatisfactory attendance(1) - aged 60 and over(2) - Annual from 01 April to 31 March - 2014 to 2023 Dismissal - Medical InefficiencyDismissal - Unsatisfactory attendanceDismissal - Unsatisfactory attendance/Medical Inefficiency12 Months to:Headcount of staff aged 60 or overHeadcount of staff aged 60 or overHeadcount of staff aged 60 or overPercentage of Unsatisfactory Attendance/Medical Inefficiency dismissals’31/03/20144745116%31/03/20155605612%31/03/2016~~439%31/03/20174375011%31/03/20180242411%31/03/2019036369%31/03/20206475311%31/03/202128103811%31/03/20224665214%31/03/20238078714%Notes:From January 2017 to December 2019, information regarding dismissals as a result of medical inefficiencies were recorded as unsatisfactory attendances. Therefore, these categories have been combined.Age as at time of leaving~ denotes suppressed values of 2 or fewer or other values which would allow values of 2 or fewer to be derived by subtraction. Low numbers are suppressed to prevent disclosure in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2018.

Prison Officers: Early Retirement

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of retirements due to (a) ill health and (b) injury were taken by prison staff aged 60 or over in each of the last 12 quarters.

Damian Hinds: Information on the number of prison staff, aged 60 plus who left HMPPS due to ‘ill health retirement’ and the proportion they make up of all ‘ill health’ retirements is given in the following table. Figures are presented quarterly, from April 2020 to March 2023.We work hard to keep all prison staff safe. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act has increased the maximum penalty to up to two years imprisonment for assaulting prison officers. A new Crime in Prisons Taskforce will improve evidence collection for serious assaults and will secure more effective prosecutions.We also continue to roll out PAVA – a synthetic pepper spray – in the adult male estate to protect staff and prisoners from incidents of serious violence alongside SPEAR, a Personal Safety training package used to resolve and de-escalate incidents. More than 13,000 new body cameras have been rolled out to public sector prisons, ensuring every operational band 3-5 officer can wear one and capture high-quality evidence to support prosecutions against prisoners who commit assaults.There is not a specific, centrally held, leaving reason for ‘injury’.Table 1 Headcount of prison staff retirements due to ill health - aged 60 and over(1) - quarterly from April 2020 to March 2023Financial YearQuarter60+Percentage 60+ of all ill health retirements2020/2021Apr-Jun~~ Jul-Sept00% Oct-Dec420% Jan-Mar~~2021/2022Apr-Jun00% Jul-Sept00% Oct-Dec~~ Jan-Mar00%2022/2023Apr-Jun~~ Jul-Sept525% Oct-Dec417% Jan-Mar420% Notes:Age as at time of leaving~ denotes suppressed values of 2 or fewer or other values which would allow values of 2 or fewer to be derived by subtraction. Low numbers are suppressed to prevent disclosure in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2018.

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of (a) assaults and (b) serious assaults on prison staff were carried out on prison staff aged 60 or over in each of the last 12 quarters.

Damian Hinds: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost as the data collated centrally does not enable us to identify the age of the staff member involved in the assault.

Prisons: Drugs

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list the prisons that are employing the use of dogs for drug detection purposes.

Damian Hinds: HMPPS adopts a regional approach to deployment of dog teams, which allows Prison Group Directors to determine the best approach to deploy their resource. Therefore, drug detection dogs are available for deployment to all prisons.

Sexual Offences: Criminal Proceedings

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if his Department will publish the terms and conditions for the contract for the recording of video evidence (section 28) in sexual assault cases.

Edward Argar: The Section 28 service is provided under a wider contract with Vodafone and it is not a standalone contract. We are therefore unable to publish it on its own.

Independent Sexual Violence Advisers

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Independent Sexual Violence Advisers have been recruited by his Department since 19 October 2022.

Edward Argar: The MoJ provides ringfenced funding to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), and we are committed to increasing the number of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) by 300, to over 1,000, by 2024/25 – a 43% increase on the number of ISVAs and IDVAs over this spending review period (2022/23 to 2024/25 inclusive).The MoJ is currently providing funding for 900 ISVA and IDVA posts. PCCs also use their ‘core’ funding and ringfenced Domestic Abuse/Sexual Violence funding to recruit and retain additional posts.PCCs report bi-annually to the MoJ in line with commissioning arrangements. The latest information we hold covers the period 1 April to 30 September 2022 and therefore does not cover the period requested. End of year data is currently being collated.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pensions

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the potential merits of raising the minimum employer pension contribution and (b) the fairness of the proportion of pension contributions paid by (i) employees and (ii) employers.

Laura Trott: The current minimum contribution levels, and the split between employer and employees, were set following extensive stakeholder consultation and consensus building at the time, balancing the benefits of pensions saving with the costs to employers and individuals. No further assessment has been made since then.

State Retirement Pensions: Age

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy not to increase the state pension age to 68.

Laura Trott: State Pension age is currently 66 and two further increases are set out in legislation:A gradual rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028A gradual rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046 The second Government Review of State Pension age was published on 30 March 2023. The Government noted the Independent Report’s recommendations on the rise from 67 to 68 but highlighted that Baroness Neville-Rolfe take into account the long-term impact of recent significant external challenges, bringing uncertainty to the data on life expectancy, the economic position and labour market. In light of this, the Government concluded that there will be a further review within two years of the next Parliament to consider age 68. This will be supported by the latest evidence, including life expectancy projections, updated with 2021 Census data, and the economic position. Therefore, the current rules for the rise to 68 remain appropriate, and all options that meet the principle of 10 years notice will be in scope at the next review.

National Insurance Credits

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason great aunts and great uncles may not claim Specified Adult Childcare Credits; and if he will publish his Department’s rationale for the eligibility criteria for those Credits.

Guy Opperman: Prior to the introduction of SACC in 2011, a consultation was undertaken (15/10/2010 to 26/11/2010) seeking views. The Government response to the consultation, including the original consultation itself, can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-insurance-credits-changes. Specified Adult Childcare Credits (SACC) were introduced to recognise the contribution that family members make by providing childcare and enabling the primary carer to work. The policy intention was to make as many family members as possible eligible to claim SACC whilst being consistent that the child and adult be related by blood or parental relationship. While understanding that caring relationships vary widely between families, the position taken with the definition of a “family member” is consistent across several pieces of legislation. Great Aunts and Uncles do not fall under this definition.

Social Security Benefits: Take-up

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the number of people who qualify for but have not taken up (a) Universal Credit, (b) social tariff schemes and (c) other financial support schemes.

Guy Opperman: The Department does not hold the information requested. A single system for those in and out of work is expected to increase take-up compared to legacy benefits, as set out in the UC business case Universal Credit programme full Business Case summary (publishing.service.gov.uk) The Affordability of Communications Services report published by Ofcom in April 2023 sets out information about take up of social tariffs.

Access to Work Programme: Standards

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications made to the Access to Work Scheme were outstanding as of 3 May 2023.

Tom Pursglove: Access to Work had 24,101 applications outstanding as of 3 May 2023. Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Personal Independence Payment: Applications

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has for when Personal Independence Payment claimants will be able to make applications digitally; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Pursglove: The Health Transformation Programme is transforming the entire PIP service, including introducing a digital PIP service with the option to apply online.   We are currently operating a small-scale test of this new apply service, taking a small number of claims to begin with, before we gradually and carefully increase the number of people who can use it. We have already introduced a digital version of the PIP2 health questionnaire, which is now offered to the majority of those making a claim. The full online apply service will offer claimants the option to claim PIP online, including the ability to save and resume and to upload medical evidence. The programme will be developing the new PIP service carefully and incrementally, designing it around the needs of claimants, making it quicker, simpler and more transparent.

Carer's Allowance and Personal Independence Payment: Newcastle Upon Tyne Central

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were in receipt of Carer's Allowance and Personal Independence Payment at the same time in Newcastle upon Tyne Central constituency in each of the last five years.

Tom Pursglove: The number of claimants who received Carer's Allowance and Personal Independence Payment at the end of each quarter, from February 2013 to November 2022, by Westminster parliamentary constituency, is published in the Benefit Combinations datasets on Stat-Xplore. Figures from February 2013 to May 2021 are recorded in one dataset, with figures in England and Wales provided separately from Scotland from August 2021 onwards. You can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user and, if needed, you can access guidance on how to extract the information required.

Access to Work Programme: Standards

Jane Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the time taken to process Access to Work applications; and what steps he is taking to ensure that applications are processed in a timely manner.

Tom Pursglove: There has been a significant increase in applications for the Access to Work grant scheme over the last year, leading to longer processing times. Processing times are continually assessed, and the department has reviewed processes to support applications being processed in a timely manner. To deal with the increased demand, we have recruited additional staff and have plans for further recruitment. We are also modernising the Access to Work service through increased digitalisation; this will make the service more efficient, make the application process easier, and improve the time taken from application through to decision. Customers making a new application for Access to Work and are starting work within the next 4 weeks, or have a current grant award coming to an end requiring a renewal application, are prioritised to ensure they are able to enter and remain in the labour market.

Disability: Greater London

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employers in (a) Enfield North constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield and (c) London have achieved level (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three of the Disability Confident scheme in each of the last five years.

Tom Pursglove: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Pension Credit: Publicity

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken through advertisements to help ensure that all pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit are aware of their eligibility.

Laura Trott: To raise awareness of Pension Credit and increase take-up, the Department made a multimillion pound investment in a marketing campaign in the last year. The campaign included advertising on national TV, regional and national newspapers and local and national broadcast radio. We used ‘Out of Home’ channels, which included advertising on the sides of buses and interior bus panels as well as digital street displays and digital information screens in Post Offices and GP surgeries across GB. Our online marketing activity included promotion of Pension Credit on social media, via internet search engines and sponsored advertising on targeted websites that pensioners, their friends and family are likely to visit. Within our network of jobcentres, we provided customers with leaflets and arranged for Jobcentres to display Pension Credit posters. We engaged with Local Authorities nationwide through the Government Communication Service local network and provided them with promotional materials to enable them to support the campaign. Our digital toolkit was also updated with information and resources that any stakeholder can use to help promote Pension Credit. I very recently held an event with MPs to encourage their further support and promotion of Pension Credit. In June 2022, we held a Pension Credit awareness media ‘day of action’ working in close collaboration with broadcasters, newspapers and other partners such as Age UK, Independent Age and the private sector to reach out to pensioners to promote Pension Credit through their channels. This led to Pension Credit news bulletins on ITV, mentions by financial influencer Martin Lewis and also led to Pension Credit trending in the top 20 on Twitter. In June, we will again encourage media outlets and partners to join us in promoting Pension Credit. A key message of the campaign has been to highlight that receiving even a small amount of Pension Credit can act as a passport to a range of other benefits including help with rent, heating and a free TV licence for the over 75s. We also heavily publicised the additional cost of living payments, which Pension Credit claimants are entitled to As part of the annual uprating of State Pension, we once again wrote to over 11 million pensioners promoting Pension Credit in the accompanying materials.

State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK State Pension recipients who are overseas residents receive annual index-linked increases.

Laura Trott: The UK State Pension is payable worldwide to those who meet the qualifying conditions, and we continue to up-rate it abroad where there is a legal requirement to do so – for example where there is a reciprocal agreement that provides for up-rating. People move abroad for many reasons and it is their own choice to do so. There is information available in leaflets and on GOV.UK on how to claim State Pension from overseas and on what the effect of going abroad will be on entitlement to the UK State Pension.

Workplace Pensions: Women

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of women automatically enrolled in workplace pension schemes.

Laura Trott: As a result of the rollout of automatic enrolment, the Government has ensured millions more women save into a pension, many for the first time. DWP Analysis shows that in 2021, 87% of women working in the private sector who were eligible for Automatically Enrolled (AE) were contributing to a pension, up from 40% in 2012.The Government recognises that there is still more to be done, which is why we remain committed to implementing the 2017 AE Review measures. This will involve lowering the age for automatic enrolment to age 18 and removing the lower earnings limit (LEL) to make contributions payable from the first pound of earnings. Lowering the age will bring more women, alongside men, into AE, while removing the LEL will disproportionately benefit lower earners, including people working in multiple low-paid part time jobs who are predominantly women.In addition, the earnings trigger, which is one of the key factors that determines who gets enrolled into a workplace pension scheme through AE, has been maintained at its current level of £10,000 a year since 2014. Our decision to ensure the earnings trigger maintains its value for 2023/24, has meant that 32,000 more savers have been brought into pension saving compared to increasing the trigger in line with average weekly earnings. 62% of these new savers will be women.

Treasury

Plastics: Waste Disposal

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the impact of the tax treatment of different methods of plastic waste disposal on end-of-life carbon emissions for plastic products.

Gareth Davies: Landfill Tax encourages waste, including plastic waste, to be diverted from landfill towards more sustainable waste management options such as recycling and recovery. There are carbon benefits associated with managing waste more sustainably. Since 2000, local authority waste sent to landfill in England has fallen by over 90%.In addition, the Plastic Packaging Tax encourages businesses to use more recycled plastic in packaging, which will drive more collection and recycling of plastic waste. At Budget 2020, the government estimated the tax would increase use of recycled plastic in packaging by around 40% in 2022-23 - equal to carbon savings of nearly 200,000 tonnes.The government considers the climate and environmental impacts of relevant tax changes and at Spring Budget, published climate assessments in relevant Tax Information and Impact Notes.

Shipping: Fuels

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 11 May 2023 to Question 183926 on Shipping: Fuels, what percentage of Marine Voyages Relief claims which are not selected for additional security checks are processed within 30 days.

Victoria Atkins: All Marine Voyages Relief claims are reviewed to ensure they are valid. Checks include claims are made within the correct timeframes, have the correct rate of duty claimed and are accurately completed with all information required. Should anything be omitted, claimed incorrectly or is out of time, the customer will be contacted to discuss and amend if appropriate. All claims received from new customers are subject to security checks to ensure that the claim is from a legitimate person/company, and they are credible and eligible to make the claim. We aim to repay all claims within the 30 days service level agreement, discounting days where we are awaiting further information from the customer. There is no specific percentage of claims requiring further checks. All claims are reviewed on a risk basis.

Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much money has been returned from Stormont to the UK Government in un-used Financial Transaction Barnett Consequentials in each financial year from 2010-11 to 2022-2023.

John Glen: The Northern Ireland Executive receive ringfenced Financial Transactions Capital (FTC) funding. FTC funding is different to other aspects of the DEL block grant as it is treated as a financial transaction rather than spending and does not affect Public Sector Net Borrowing. The Northern Ireland Executive Financial transaction budgets are provided with FTC funding through the Barnett formula in a consistent manner to UK Government departments. Where funding is provided on a net basis, repayments of loans can be recycled indefinitely into new loans. Where funding is provided on a gross basis, the Northern Ireland Executive is required to return funding to HM Treasury within an agreed period. There were no underspends for the financial years 2010-11 through 2015-16. In subsequent years, the underspends were as follows:2016-17: £34.5m2017-18: £109.4m2018-19: £171.9m2019-20: £72.0m2020-21: £26.4m2021-22: £47.1m Outturn data for 2022-23 is not yet available. Any income from repayments of loans or underspends against the Northern Ireland Executive’s wider FTC funding can be used to reduce the amount of gross FTC repayable over time and the Executive have made use of this option. The UK Government maintains regular engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive on treatment of FTC funding.

Chelsea Football Club: Sales

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the proceeds of the sale of Chelsea Football Club were not paid to Roman Abramovich; and what has happened with those funds.

Gareth Davies: Roman Abramovich remains subject to an asset freeze, meaning he will not benefit from the sale of Chelsea Football Club. The proceeds of the sale remain frozen in a UK bank account, awaiting the establishment of a Foundation to spend the proceeds on humanitarian purposes in Ukraine.

Wealth: Taxation

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing taxation for people who own more than £10 million in assets by one per cent.

Paul Girvan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing taxation for people who own more than £10 million in assets by one per cent.

Victoria Atkins: The UK system is designed to ensure among other things that the richest in our society pay their fair share on their wealth and assets, with the tax system taxing wealth across many different economic activities, including acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of assets and income derived from assets. These tax levers generate substantial revenue, including Inheritance Tax revenues of £7 billion, Capital Gains Tax revenues of £18.1 billion and property transaction taxes of £17.3 billion in 2022-2023.

Football: Sportsgrounds

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what funding he plans to provide to capital projects for the necessary stadia to support the UK and Ireland's bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 football championship.

John Glen: The joint UK and Ireland bid to host EURO 2028 was submitted to UEFA on 12 April 2023, with a decision expected in Autumn 2023. The bid primarily relies on our existing world class stadium infrastructure that will not require major capital investment from the UK Government. We continue to engage with partners across the bid to identify the extent to which any UK Government capital investment is required.

Revenue and Customs: Standards

Alyn Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what HMRC's target response times are for (a) public enquiries and (b) Member of Parliament enquiries; and if he will provide details of performance against those targets for each of the last six months.

Victoria Atkins: HMRC publishes monthly and quarterly performance data on the GOV.UK website links below:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reportshttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-quarterly-performance-updates HMRC aims to reply to 80 per cent of Ministerial correspondence within fifteen working days. The Cabinet Office asks all Government departments to reply to 80 per cent of Ministerial correspondence within 20-working days and publishes data on responses to correspondence from MPs and peers on an annual basis this can be found on the GOV.UK website here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers

Shipping: Employment

Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2023 to Question 177808 on Economic Situation and Shipping, if he will make it his policy to ensure that the Corporation Tax regime encourages employment of UK resident seafarers on the vessels qualifying for relief under that regime.

Gareth Davies: Following reforms to Tonnage Tax announced at Autumn Budget 2021, the Government announced further Tonnage Tax changes to encourage jobs and investment in the UK shipping industry at Spring Budget 2023. These changes include opening an election window to allow shipping companies to join or re-join UK Tonnage Tax. They also include expanding the regime to include ship management companies, and increasing the capital allowances limit for lessors of ships into the regime. To take advantage of Tonnage Tax, shipping companies must strategically and commercially manage ships in the UK and commit to train or underwrite the training of sufficient seafarers to meet a "Minimum Training Obligation" (MTO). Trainees must be ordinarily resident in the UK and either a UK/EEA national or a British citizen from the Channel Islands or Isle of Man. The Government remains committed to the MTO and encouraging the training of seafarers. In September 2022, the Government increased the support for maritime training (SMarT) funding of Cadet training to 50% from the previous level of 30% for the period April 2022 to September 2024.

Public Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to (a) reduce the national debt and (b) ensure value for money in public spending.

John Glen: The government took decisive action to restore economic stability in the autumn and get debt falling. At Spring Budget, the OBR confirmed that the government will meet its fiscal rules; underlying debt as a share of GDP is on track to fall in 2027-28 and is lower in every year compared to the OBR’s November forecast.To help ensure value for money in public spending the government launched an Efficiency and Savings Review at Autumn Statement 2022. Through the review, departments reprioritised and identified further efficiencies, building on the 5% efficiency challenge set at Spending Review 2021, to better deliver value for money for the taxpayer.The government will continue to identify further ways to work more efficiently to ensure we can best deliver the outcomes that matter most to the public, even in a challenging economic environment.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Recreation Spaces: West Yorkshire

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect access to (a) green spaces and (b) Greenways in (i) Huddersfield constituency and (ii) West Yorkshire.

Trudy Harrison: The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure this is safe and appropriate. We committed in our Environmental Improvement Plan to work across government to help ensure that everyone lives within 15 minutes’ walk of a green or blue space. The Government is delivering a number of policies to protect access to green spaces including in urban areas. Examples of these include:Delivering the £9 million Levelling Up Parks Fund to improve green space in more than 100 disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the UK.The launch of the Green Infrastructure Framework: Principles and Standards for England in January 2023 which shows what good green infrastructure looks like and will help local authorities, developers and communities to improve provision in their areaLocal Nature Recovery Strategies will identify locations where action for nature recovery would be particularly beneficial, encouraging the creation of more green spaces, including in urban areasImplementing a number of rights of way reforms which will streamline the process for adding new or lost footpaths to the rights of way network.Local highway authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of existing public rights of way and are required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan to plan improvements to the rights of way network in their area. This must include an assessment of the local rights of way including the condition of the network. In the West Yorkshire area specifically, as part of its work to deliver England’s Nature Recovery Network, Natural England is working with a range of partners in the iconic upland, rural and urban landscapes in West Yorkshire to create a shared vision for nature recovery that will underline the cultural and environmental links between the industrial heartland of West Yorkshire and the moors that help to define them. In the South Pennine Moors Natural England is working with public and private finance, stakeholders and landowners with the aim of creating more habitat mosaics and dynamic sites, helping to build resilience for species that are likely to be impacted by climate change and improve natural flood management, ensuring that environmental and economic sustainability go hand in hand. Utilising Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Net Gain opportunities, Natural England is also aiming to build in green corridors and steppingstones leading into Bradford. Local communities are being engaged in the project, providing opportunities to connect the people of Bradford and West Yorkshire with their surrounding wild places, and encouraging greater sustainable access.

Nature Conservation: Finance

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to paragraph 12 of page 74 of Mobilising Green Investment: 2023 Green Finance Strategy, published in March 2023, what estimate she has made of private investment in nature's recovery in each of the last five years; and whether she has made an estimate of such investment in the next year.

Trudy Harrison: As set out in Mobilising Green Investment: 2023 Green Finance Strategy, we are committed to monitoring annual private finance flows into nature’s recovery in England against our target. The government has not produced any official estimate of private investment in nature’s recovery for the last five years, as no reliable measures are yet in place. We have also not produced any forecast for such investment for the current or future years. My department is developing a methodology for tracking private investment in nature’s recovery, informed by research that we commissioned last year.

Government Departments: Aviation

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Greening Government Commitments, how many domestic flights were undertaken by government Departments in each of the last seven years; and what the greenhouse gas emissions associated with such flights were in each of those years.

Trudy Harrison: Under the climate change mitigation Greening Government Commitment (GGC), Government has a sub-target to reduce the emissions from domestic business flights by at least 30% from a 2017 to 2018 baseline, and report the distance travelled by international business flights, with a view to better understanding and reducing related emissions where possible. The requested information on how many flights were undertaken for the 2016 to 2017 through to the 2020 to 2021 financial years is published in the GGCs Annual Reports for those years. Departments report on their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and the GHG emissions associated with these flights are included, but not dis-aggregated by source, within this reporting. The GHG emissions figures associated with domestic flights by departments for the 2021 to 2022 financial year will be published in the GGCs Annual Report for 2021 to 2022, due later this year. The data for the 2022 to 2023 financial year will be published in the Annual Report covering 2022 to 2023.

Meat: Origin Marking

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will work with supermarkets to ensure that customers can filter for and select cuts of meat with (a) Welsh and (b) UK origin when shopping online.

Mark Spencer: Defra meets regularly with food retailers and producers to discuss a range of issues and explore the range of measures they can take to ensure the availability of food of UK origin. Current laws require origin labelling for foods where the consumer would be misled if the origin of the food were not given. In addition there are rules for compulsory origin labelling of beef, veal, lamb, mutton, pork, goat and poultry meat, fish and shellfish, honey, olive oil, wine and most fruit and vegetables. Where origin information is not required, it can still be provided as long as it does not mislead. The same level of information on a food label must be available online to the consumer, before a purchase is made.

Water Charges

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to introduce a national scheme for social tariffs on water bills.

Rebecca Pow: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given on 3 February 2023 to PQ 135453.

Beavers: Conservation

Bob Seely: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the wild release of beavers on (a) local economies and (b) the environment.

Trudy Harrison: Any application for a licence to release beaver would need to make an assessment of the potential impact on the environment and local economic interests as part of the application process and in accordance with the Code for Reintroductions. Natural England undertook an assessment, published in 2021, of the findings from the River Otter trial in Devon, which is the only licenced wild release of beavers in England. We are continuing to undertake further work with Natural England to develop our approach to the reintroduction of beaver in England.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Local Plans and Planning Permission

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment his Department has made of the importance of Local Government’s role in the (a) development of local plans and (b) determination of planning applications; and what assessment he has made of the impact of that role on the (i) strength of local democracy (ii) strength of local communities and (iii) planning outcomes.

Rachel Maclean: Local government plays a pivotal role in the operation of the planning system, through the preparation of local plans and the decisions taken on planning applications. In both cases, it is essential to involve communities to ensure that development is brought forward in a way that works best for them. Recognising this, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill strengthens the role of democratically produced plans when making decisions on planning applications, so that applicants will need to give strong reasons to go against the local plan.

Evictions

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department is taking steps to help strengthen alternative grounds for landlords to regain possession of properties once no-fault eviction notices are abolished.

Rachel Maclean: The Renters (Reform) Bill, introduced into Parliament on 17 May 2023, will deliver a fairer, more secure, and higher quality private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.Good landlords play a vital role in providing homes for millions of people across the country. While we will deliver the manifesto commitment to end Section 21 'no fault' evictions, we will introduce comprehensive, fair and efficient grounds for possession to ensure landlords have confidence they can regain possession when it is reasonable.We will reform possession grounds to expedite landlords' ability to evict those who disrupt neighbourhoods through anti-social behaviour and introduce a new ground for persistent rent arrears. We will also ensure landlords are able to sell or move back into their property if needed.These improvements strike the right balance between ensuring landlords can gain possession of their property when it is right for them to do so, and improving security for tenants.

Housing: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department are taking to increase the availability of housing for low-income families in Greater London.

Rachel Maclean: Delivering more affordable homes in London is a priority for the Government, which is why we have invested £4 billion of Affordable Homes Programme funding in the capital to help deliver them.  A significant proportion of these homes will be made available for Social Rent, directly helping low-income households who are unable to rent or buy at market rates.The latest published statistics for housing delivery in London can be found here.

Social Rented Housing

Abena Oppong-Asare: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has a target for building new social housing.

Rachel Maclean: As set out previously, the Government recognises the value of investing in Social Rent homes which is why we made a commitment in our Levelling-up white paper to deliver more of them.Our Affordable Homes Programme is responding to that commitment and will deliver tens of thousands of Social Rent homes, as will our Local Authority Housing Fund.Since 2010 we have delivered over 162,800 homes for social rent.

Telecommunications: Tax Allowances

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how much business rate relief was granted for new optical fibre telecommunications in each of the financial years between 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many hereditaments were granted rate relief under the Non-Domestic Rating (Telecommunications Infrastructure Relief) (England) Regulations 2018 in each of the financial years 2017-18 to 2021-22.

Lee Rowley: Based on National Non-domestic rating returns (NNDR) data can be found at the following link, relief has been awarded as follows: 2017-182018-192019-202020-212021-22TOTALIn Year£0£0-£26,256-£30,654-£1,992,529-£2,049,439Adjustments to amount of relief provided in respect of previous years£0£0-£14,043£4,193-£2,181,550-£2,191,400TOTAL -£4,240,839Adjustments in respect of previous years can refer to any of the five years of the scheme. Four hereditaments received telecoms relief in 2019-20, three in 2020-21 and twenty-one in 2021-22.

Local Government: Elections

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will conduct an equality impact assessment on the requirement of voter ID following the local elections on 4 May 2023.

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many people in Canterbury were turned away from the polls because they did not have the required voting identification at the local elections on 4 May 2023.

Dehenna Davison: I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave to Questions UIN 183152, 183999 and 183968 on 9, 11 and 16 May 2023

Leader of the House

Government Departments: Correspondence

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Leader of the House, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that their Departments meet deadlines for replying to Members’ correspondence.

Penny Mordaunt: Parliament has a right to hold Ministers to account and, as Leader of the House, I expect Government Ministers to respond quickly and effectively to Members’ correspondence. I will continue to drive that message and I encourage members who get an unsatisfactory response to write to me and I will take this up for any Member who does not get a proper response.I recognise that my office and I have a role to play in making representations to Government on behalf of the House of Commons, and have taken a number of actions:Over the 2022 Summer recess my office conducted a series of discussions across Whitehall regarding the importance of timely and quality responses to Members.In line with the practice of my predecessors, I have written to all members of Cabinet.I participated in a ‘Leading in Parliament’ session with Senior Civil Servants.I met with the Home Office Permanent Secretary following a number of concerns raised during Business Questions, and I have been pleased to note an improvement in performance in that department’s statistics.In March I met with all departmental Permanent Secretaries where I reiterated the importance of substantive and timely answers to correspondence.My office oversees the Parliamentary Clerks’ Working Group, which brings together all departmental Parliamentary Clerks from across Whitehall to discuss topical issues and share best practice.The Parliamentary Capability Team in the Cabinet Office also provides training on managing parliamentary work to civil servants of all departments and grades, including blended learning courses on ministerial correspondence and tailored workshops for Senior Civil Servants. Since April 2022, 686 civil servants from across government have attended training provided by the Parliamentary Capability Team on managing Ministerial Correspondence and Written Parliamentary Questions.In addition, the Cabinet Office Guide to Handling Correspondence, which is available on Gov.uk, includes guidance for civil servants on how to handle correspondence from MPs, Peers, members of the devolved legislatures and members of the public (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/handling-government-correspondence-guidance).